By Dr. Karan Gupta

Big news for Indian students — the Government of India has launched the Academic Passport, part of the APAAR initiative (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry).

This is being called an Aadhaar for education, and it’s going to change how Indian students apply to universities abroad.

What is APAAR?

APAAR gives every student in India a unique 12-digit Academic ID that stores their entire verified academic record in one digital account — from school to university.

Your marksheets, degrees, certificates, and even credits will all be securely stored and verified through India’s central education database.

Why it matters for Study Abroad

If you’ve ever had to courier transcripts or wait for document verification, this changes everything.

With APAAR, foreign universities can instantly verify your academic history — no more delays or paperwork.

Here’s how it helps you:

 Instant online verification of your marksheets and degrees

 No more physical attestations or notarizations

 Simplifies university transfers and applications abroad

 Builds global trust in Indian academic records

How to Get Your APAAR ID

1. Check with your school or college if they’ve started APAAR registration.
2. You’ll be asked to verify your Aadhaar details and consent to linking your academic record.
3. Once verified, you’ll receive your 12-digit APAAR number.
4. Save it securely — this will become your lifelong education ID.

What to Watch Out For

• Make sure your name, birth date, and marks are consistent across all documents.
• Keep your registered phone number active for OTP verification.
• Ask your institution to confirm that your records have been uploaded correctly.

The Big Picture

APAAR is India’s move toward a global academic identity system.

In the coming years, universities abroad may accept APAAR verification as official proof of academic records — making study abroad applications faster, safer, and more reliable.

If implemented fully, it’ll mean:

• Zero paperwork
• Zero delay
• Zero fraud

Next Step:

Visit https://apaar.education.gov.in/