Pune: The Maharashtra State Examination Council has taken a significant step to combat the issue of fake passing certificates by announcing the issuance of only digital certificates for all examinations conducted by the council. The decision aims to prevent instances of fraudulent certificates and provide enhanced security features. The digital certificates will include digital signatures and QR codes, ensuring authenticity and facilitating easy verification. Moreover, this move will also lead to cost savings for the council by eliminating the need for physical certificates.
The verification process for all certificates will be conducted officially using QR codes. In the initial phase, the government commerce certificate examination took place in February, with 62,706 students appearing for typing and shorthand exams. Out of these students, 49,482 who passed will be issued digital certificates, while the remaining 12,224 students who were absent, failed, or reserved will receive their mark sheets online through a login provided to the respective institutes.
For all future examinations conducted by the Maharashtra State Examination Council, digital certificates and mark sheets with digital signatures will be issued. Currently, institutes are being granted access to certificates and mark sheets through their dedicated logins. In the upcoming exams, the council plans to collect students’ email IDs, mobile numbers, and Aadhaar numbers. The certificates will then be sent directly to the candidates’ email IDs, according to Dr. Nandkumar Bedse, the President of the Maharashtra State Examination Council.
The introduction of digital certificates will significantly expedite the process of receiving mark sheets and certificates. Candidates can expect to receive their documents within 15 days of the result declaration, as opposed to the previous timeline of one to two months. The utilization of digital signatures will ensure accuracy and reduce discrepancies, addressing past irregularities in certificate distribution.
Since the students’ certificates will be permanently available on the council’s website, independent verification will no longer be necessary. This transition to digital certificates and mark sheets will not only enhance security and convenience but also result in cost savings by eliminating expenses associated with printing, postage, and transportation.
The Maharashtra State Examination Council’s decision to embrace digital certification marks a significant advancement in the examination system. This move not only safeguards the authenticity of certificates but also streamlines the process, benefiting students and educational institutions alike.
