In a landmark move towards enhancing accessibility and transparency in the education sector, the Department of School Education and Literacy unveiled the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) via Common Service Centres (CSCs) in remote areas today. This initiative, a crucial component of the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), aims to streamline the process of transferring between colleges and universities through the implementation of ‘One Nation, One Student ID’.
The launch event, graced by Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, underscored the pivotal role of digital services, particularly Common Service Centres (CSCs) in remote areas, in revolutionizing school education. Kumar emphasized the immediate provision of provisional APAAR IDs to all schoolchildren, with verification through Aadhaar and linkage to Digi Locker, ensuring seamless documentation and accessibility.
Furthermore, the introduction of a business model for village-level entrepreneurs (VLEs) is poised to democratize access to education, making it more transparent and readily available.
K Sanjay Murthy, Secretary of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, highlighted the government’s commitment to leveraging technological platforms like Samarth, Swayam, and Diksha for the benefit of students. He outlined ambitious plans to incorporate at least 10,000 institutions under Samarth within the next 1.5 years, demonstrating a concerted effort to modernize the education landscape.
Drawing parallels between the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and the National Academic Depository (NAD), Mr. Murthy emphasized the administration of these platforms by academic institutions, ensuring their credibility and reliability.
Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), lauded the APAAR initiative for its potential to empower students throughout their educational journey. He highlighted the lifelong utility of the APAAR ID, enabling students to accumulate credits seamlessly and progress academically without the need for traditional certificates.
The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), central to the ‘One Nation, One Student ID’ system, functions as a digital repository for students’ academic records and personal details. This platform facilitates effortless transitions between educational institutions, enabling universities to access students’ data instantly with the click of a button.
In essence, the introduction of APAAR and the Academic Bank of Credits marks a significant milestone in India’s education sector, promising to democratize access, enhance transparency, and empower students.
