The CBSE has exempted UAE-based schools from generating APAAR IDs and linking them to Aadhaar, citing administrative and legal reasons. The move ends confusion among students and parents after APAAR was made mandatory for board exam registrations in India. Principals in the UAE welcomed the clarity, confirming it applies only to schools within India.
Abu Dhabi / Dubai: Students in CBSE-affiliated schools across the UAE will not be required to generate APAAR IDs, school leaders have confirmed, ending weeks of confusion among parents and pupils.
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The Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) is a unique identification number designed to track a student’s academic journey from primary school to higher education. Introduced under India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, it is linked to student enrolment data and requires key details such as name, age, gender, photograph, and Aadhaar number.
In a circular shared with principals, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) clarified:
“Schools situated abroad are exempted from APAAR because of various administrative reasons and laws in these countries.”
This means the Aadhaar-linked APAAR requirement, which is mandatory for students in India registering for Grade 10 and 12 board exams, does not apply to overseas institutions.
School leaders welcomed the clarification, noting it will ease concerns among expatriate families.
Sharjah Indian School Principal: “APAAR ID is meant only for India and not for schools abroad. This has now been confirmed by CBSE.”
Abhilasha Singh, Principal of Shining Star International School, Abu Dhabi: “CBSE has clarified that APAAR IDs are not required for foreign schools. This should put to rest any confusion students had in the past few weeks.”
The Aadhaar number, a 12-digit identification unique to Indian residents, serves as proof of identity and address within India. Since expatriate students in the UAE are outside India’s jurisdiction, schools here cannot comply with Aadhaar-linked requirements.
The announcement provides clarity for thousands of Indian families in the UAE, ensuring students can continue their academic journey under CBSE without additional documentation hurdles.
