NEW DELHI: Central government to issue ID card on Aadhaar model to all school children in the country. The scheme is to provide a unique identification number through Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR). This is part of the new National Education Policy.

APAAR is not a substitute for Aadhaar. It is provided with the aim of tracking the child's education and achievements. ICTE Chairman TG Sitharaman clarified that this will be the QR code of the country's students. Students can use the card from primary to higher education.

The centre asked the schools to talk to the parents and seek permission prior to this. The state education departments have also been directed to hold teacher-parent meetings in schools by the 18th. The card should be issued only with parental permission.

Teachers should update the information such as blood group, height and weight in the children's Aadhaar card. These will be used as the foundation for APAAR card. Information will be kept confidential.