Hyderabad:The Telangana Education Commission (TEC) has directed government schools in Hyderabad not to deny admission to students lacking an Aadhaar card. The directive reinforces the education department’s 2018 circular, which states that the Aadhaar card is not a prerequisite for school enrolment.
TEC officials confirmed that more than 150 students without Aadhaar were admitted after concerns were raised at a recent public hearing.
Dr P.L. Vishveshwar Rao, a TEC member, reiterated the commission’s position, stating, “Aadhaar is not mandatory for admission. The state government has already given a letter. TEC has taken measures in several cases to admit students without Aadhaar, and if people still face issues, we want them to bring it to our notice and we will take action.”
To recall, multiple reports had surfaced of government school headmasters rejecting students who lacked Aadhaar credentials. Teachers had come forward at a public hearing conducted by TEC, openly admitting that despite their efforts, headmasters insisted on Aadhaar as a requirement. Parents, including those who are single, divorced, or have migrated for work, struggled to enrol their children due to this barrier.
The matter gained attention when it was pointed out that both the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) and the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) require Aadhaar for student enrolment. Without Aadhaar, students could not be registered under these systems, which are linked to school databases and ministry of education records. Teachers also raised concerns about the difficulties in obtaining a birth certificate, which is necessary for Aadhaar registration.
TEC chairperson Akunuri Murali stated earlier that to deny admission for lack of Aadhaar is a crime and recalled that the Supreme Court had said the card was not mandatory.
The controversy extends beyond Hyderabad. The Association for Socio-Economic Empowerment of the Marginalised (ASEEM) had previously raised concerns over schools forcing parents into signing APAAR consent forms despite government assurances that the process was voluntary. A letter sent by ASEEM to the Chief Secretary and the education department in January urged authorities to stop schools from enforcing Aadhaar-based APAAR registration.
Legal backing for the TEC’s directive comes from a 2018 Supreme Court ruling that struck down Section 57 of the Aadhaar Act, which had allowed private entities to demand Aadhaar details. The ruling made it clear that Aadhaar is not mandatory for school admissions, bank accounts, or mobile numbers.
