Bhubaneswar: Aadhaar cards are not mandatory for school admissions in Odisha, Commissioner-cum-Secretary School and Mass Education Department Aswathy S said in a letter to all District Education Officers on Tuesday.
“The academic season for this year has already been started and admission is also continuing in some schools as per need. It was instructed earlier that the admission of students should be hassle free and smooth. In this regard, it is brought to the notice of the undersigned that in some schools, HMs are insisting the parents to submit Aadhaar card for admission of children in different classes. It is clarified that the children must be allowed to take admission in schools with or without an Aadhaar card,” the letter said.
The Secretary stressed that Aadhaar is not a mandatory prerequisite for admission and students may be facilitated for obtaining Aadhaar cards by coordinating with various offices of the district after admission.
“You are requested to communicate and inform all the HMs accordingly for smooth admission of students. Further deviation from this instruction will be seriously viewed,” he added.