The APAAR ID system, though officially optional, is increasingly mandated through directives like CBSE’s push for full enrolment and state-level enforcement, raising concerns over data privacy, Aadhaar linkage, and potential denial of education. With no dedicated legal safeguards, its implementation contradicts Supreme Court rulings on Aadhaar’s role in education access.
Relevance : GS 2(Governance , Education)
- Voluntary in Principle, Mandatory in Practice:
- The APAAR ID system is officially voluntary, but directives like the CBSE’s push for 100% saturation have raised concerns.
- Some states like Uttar Pradesh are linking it to school enrolment, making opting out difficult.
- Link to Aadhaar and Data Privacy Risks:
- APAAR requires Aadhaar linking, leading to data mismatches and bureaucratic hurdles.
- Privacy advocates warn about inadequate data protection measures for minors’ sensitive information.
- No dedicated legal framework governs APAAR’s data collection and usage policies.
- Legal and Constitutional Concerns:
- K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2019) ruled that Aadhaar cannot be mandatory for access to basic education.
- Advocacy groups argue that coercive APAAR enrolment contradicts this judgment.
- State-Level Enforcement and Parental Pushback:
- In U.P., APAAR is being used to verify school enrolments, with officials held accountable for discrepancies.
- Madrasas in Bahraich were warned of de-recognition if they did not enrol students in APAAR.
- Some parents, with the help of advocacy groups, have successfully resisted APAAR enrolment in schools.
Implications
- Potential Denial of Education:
- If APAAR becomes effectively compulsory, students without it may face barriers to education and benefits.
- Lack of Legal Safeguards:
- Absence of a dedicated data protection law leaves student data vulnerable to misuse.
- Precedent for Future Policies:
- If Aadhaar-linked IDs become routine for education, similar mandates may extend to other public services.
