- CBSE confirms UAE schools are not required to generate APAAR IDs or submit Aadhaar.
- Overseas schools are exempt due to administrative reasons and local laws.
- Circular aims to clear confusion among students and parents regarding APAAR and Aadhaar requirements.
CBSE-affiliated schools in the UAE are no longer required to generate APAAR IDs, according to a recent circular issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The circular, seen by Khaleej Times, clarifies that schools operating abroad are exempt from APAAR due to administrative reasons and local laws in foreign countries.
APAAR, or Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry, is a unique identification number linked to student enrolment. It helps Indian authorities track a student’s academic journey from primary school to higher education, in line with India’s New Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Creating an APAAR ID requires students to submit personal details such as name, age, date of birth, gender, photograph, and Aadhaar number.
Earlier this month, CBSE made APAAR IDs mandatory for students in India registering for Grade 10 and 12 board exams, prompting some concerns among students. Aadhaar is a 12-digit identification number used as proof of identity and address for Indian residents.
School principals in the UAE confirmed that the APAAR requirement does not apply to overseas schools. The Principal of Sharjah Indian School stated, “APAAR ID is meant only for India and not for schools operating abroad. CBSE has now confirmed this”.
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Similarly, Principal Abhilasha Singh of Shining Star International School, Abu Dhabi, emphasized that the circular clears any confusion among students regarding APAAR IDs and Aadhaar. She added, “CBSE has clarified to all school principals that foreign schools do not need to generate APAAR IDs. This should put to rest concerns students had over the past few weeks”.
This announcement provides clarity to students and parents in UAE CBSE schools, ensuring that overseas students are not required to submit sensitive personal data meant for Indian residents.
