The Orissa High Court has admitted a public interest petition challenging the mandatory implementation of the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) for school students in Odisha.
The petition, filed by advocate and parent Rohit Anand Das, questions the state government’s enforcement of APAAR despite the Ministry of Education’s assertion that the scheme is voluntary. The plea names the Odisha government, Union Ministries of Education and Electronics & IT, UIDAI, and SAI International School as respondents.
Das argues that the APAAR consent form lacks clarity on the voluntary nature of enrolment, raising concerns that students without the ID might face barriers to education. He warns that forcing students to register could infringe on their right to privacy, especially in the absence of adequate safeguards to protect personal data.
Parents and digital rights activists echo these concerns, citing a 2017 Supreme Court ruling that Aadhaar cannot be made mandatory for education. They urge authorities to provide a clear opt-out provision and stronger privacy protections before implementing the system.
While the Ministry of Education and Odisha’s Education Department have yet to comment on the matter, the court’s intervention signals a crucial legal debate on student privacy and digital governance. The case is expected to set a precedent on data security in education policies.
