Supreme Court to Direct CBSE to Implement APAAR Consent Form Changes Across India
The court said CBSE must add a clear opt-out in consent forms and clarify the student ID scheme, which it said serves institutional use only.
- On Monday, July 20, 2026, the Supreme Court directed the Central Board of Secondary Education to implement a nationwide opt-out option for APAAR consent forms, enforcing an Orissa High Court judgment requiring clear refusal provisions.
- Parents led by Abhishek Baxi and represented by Senior Advocate Indira Jaising challenged the APAAR scheme as unconstitutional, arguing that its mandatory linkage to Aadhaar IDs violates privacy rights and forces students to obtain Aadhaar for educational access.
- Jaising argued that despite government claims of a voluntary program, the scheme forces biometric-based identity on minors under threat of exam denial, contradicting the Orissa High Court's earlier directive to include an explicit refusal option in consent forms.
- Chief Justice of India Surya Kant confirmed the bench will pass a formal order requiring the CBSE to ensure pan-India compliance, with the board directed to address broader consent and data protection issues.
- Justice Joymalya Bagchi emphasized that APAAR data storage must remain strictly for the 'institutional use of the CBSE,' while the bench acknowledged the scheme's potential to facilitate educational transitions between schools.
20 Articles
20 Articles
SC Agrees to Direct CBSE to Implement Odisha HC's APAAR ID 'opt Out' Ruling Across India, Examine Privacy Concerns
Get latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to direct the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to examine the data protection concerns surrounding the APAAR ID scheme and to implement across the country the Orissa High Court's ruling that generation of APAAR IDs must remain strictly voluntary. India News | SC Agrees to Direct CBSE to Implement Odisha HC's APAAR ID 'opt Out' Ruling Across India,…
The Economic Times
Times of IndiaSupreme Court to direct CBSE to implement APAAR consent form changes across India
In a significant move, the Supreme Court will mandate the CBSE to abide by an Orissa High Court decision that requires revisions to the APAAR ID consent form. Parents will now have the autonomy to refuse consent or choose to opt out. The court's endorsement of the December 2025 ruling emphasizes the importance of consent and the safeguarding of data privacy.
Supreme Court directs CBSE to implement Orissa HC order regarding APAAR IDs
The Supreme Court said it will direct CBSE to revise APAAR consent forms to include an opt-out choice for parents. The move followed the unchallenged Orissa High Court order as petitioners pressed concerns over Aadhaar linkage and student data protection.
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