Daily Current Affairs : 26-October-2023
In recent news, several state governments in India have taken a significant step towards education reform by introducing the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR). This move is part of the ‘One Nation, One Student ID’ initiative, aiming to streamline the education system and provide students with a seamless learning experience.
Understanding APAAR
APAAR, short for Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry, is designed to be a unique identification system for every student in India, commencing from their early years. Each student will receive a lifelong APAAR ID, simplifying the process of tracking academic progress from pre-primary education to higher studies. Additionally, APAAR will serve as a gateway to Digilocker, enabling students to store essential documents and achievements digitally.
Purpose and Vision
The introduction of APAAR aligns with the objectives outlined in the National Education Policy 2020. Its primary purpose is to eliminate the need for physical documents, making the educational journey hassle-free for students. Moreover, APAAR aims to:
- Create a positive change in the education sector.
- Enable state governments to monitor literacy and dropout rates effectively.
- Empower states with tools to enhance their educational performance.
- Combat fraud and duplication of educational certificates by providing a single, trusted reference for institutions.
Functionality of APAAR
Every individual will be assigned a unique APAAR ID, linked to the Academic Bank Credit (ABC), which digitally stores information about the credits earned by students. With this ID, students can store all their certificates and credits, whether acquired through formal or informal learning. When a student completes a course or achieves a milestone, it is digitally certified and securely stored, eliminating the need for physical documentation during transfers.
Registration Process
To obtain an APAAR ID, students need to provide basic information such as name, age, date of birth, gender, and a photograph. This data will be verified using their Aadhar number. For minors, parental consent is mandatory, ensuring secure authentication with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). It’s important to note that registration for APAAR ID is voluntary, respecting the privacy concerns of individuals and families.
Addressing Concerns
Despite the promising prospects of APAAR, concerns have been raised, particularly regarding the security of Aadhar details. However, the government has reassured citizens that the shared information will remain confidential. It will only be accessible to entities involved in educational activities, safeguarding the privacy of students and parents.
Important Points:
- Understanding APAAR:
- Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) is a unique ID system for Indian students.
- Provides lifelong APAAR ID for easy academic progress tracking from pre-primary to higher education.
- Serves as a gateway to Digilocker, enabling digital storage of important documents and achievements.
- Purpose and Vision:
- Eliminates need for physical documents, making education hassle-free.
- Launched under National Education Policy 2020.
- Aims to create positive change, monitor literacy and dropout rates, and enhance state educational performance.
- Fights fraud and duplicate certificates, ensuring a single, trusted educational reference.
- Functionality of APAAR:
- Each student assigned a unique APAAR ID.
- Linked to Academic Bank Credit (ABC) storing digital information about student credits.
- Enables storage of certificates and achievements digitally, eliminating physical documentation during transfers.
- Registration Process:
- Requires basic information: name, age, date of birth, gender, and photograph.
- Verification done using Aadhar number.
- Parental consent mandatory for minors.
- Registration for APAAR ID is voluntary, respecting privacy concerns.
- Addressing Concerns:
- Concerns raised about security of Aadhar details.
- Government ensures confidentiality, sharing data only with entities engaged in educational activities.
Why In News
Recently, several state governments requested schools to seek parental consent for the creation of a new student identity card known as the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) as part of the ‘One nation, One Student ID’ initiative, aiming to streamline educational data management and enhance security measures across the nation’s educational institutions.
MCQs about APAAR
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What is the primary purpose of APAAR in the ‘One Nation, One Student ID’ initiative?
A. To provide free textbooks to students
B. To streamline the education system and enhance student learning experience
C. To establish new schools in remote areas
D. To promote cultural events in educational institutions
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What does APAAR serve as a gateway to?
A. Social media platforms
B. Physical library resources
C. Digilocker, a digital system for storing documents and achievements
D. Sports facilities in schools
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What information is required for students to register for APAAR?
A. Email address and phone number
B. Name, age, date of birth, gender, and photograph
C. Residential address and occupation
D. Blood type and medical history
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What is the government’s assurance regarding the security of Aadhar details shared for APAAR registration?
A. The information will be sold to private companies
B. The information will be publicly accessible
C. The information will be kept confidential and shared only with entities engaged in educational activities
D. The information will be used for political campaigns
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