Addressing a crucial legal issue concerning the right to privacy of students and their guardians, the Orissa High Court on Friday (December 12) directed the Union Ministry of Education (MoE) to amend the consent form linked to the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) portal.

The Court held that students and guardians must be given a clear option to refuse consent for enrolment, reiterating that the scheme is voluntary in nature.

A Single Bench of Justice Sashikanta Mishra observed that while the government has consistently maintained that APAAR enrolment is voluntary, the existing consent form does not provide an option to opt out at the outset. The Judge noted that if a scheme is truly voluntary, the consent form must explicitly include a provision allowing parents or g

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