Karnataka II PUC Marksheet Goes Digital: DigiLocker Plan Sparks Concern Among Students, Parents

NewsFlash Daily™

15 April

DPUE to shift fully to DigiLocker from next academic year; parents worry over foreign admissions as officials assure physical copies in special cases

Mangaluru: In a major shift towards digital governance, the Department of Pre-University Education (DPUE) in Mangaluru has announced that II PUC marksheets will be issued exclusively in digital format via DigiLocker from the next academic year, triggering concern among students and parents.

Officials maintain that the move aligns with national digital initiatives and ensures secure, verifiable academic records, but apprehensions persist, especially among families planning higher education abroad.

Parents Raise Concerns Over Foreign Admissions

While digital marksheets issued through DigiLocker are legally valid under the Information Technology Act, 2000, parents have expressed fears that many foreign universities still demand physical documents.

They warn that reliance solely on digital copies could result in delays, complications, or even rejection of applications.

“Some institutions abroad insist on original mark sheets, and digital formats may not always be accepted,” concerned parents said.

Parents also cited past instances where digital-only documentation temporarily affected admission processes, urging the government to issue clear guidelines and fallback mechanisms.

Government Assures Physical Copies in Special Cases

Responding to the concerns, DPUE Director Bharat S clarified that provisions will be made to issue physical marksheets in exceptional situations, including foreign admissions.

Additionally, Principal Secretary V Rashmi Mahesh emphasised that DigiLocker documents come with e-verification features and are widely accepted across institutions.

No Immediate Change for Current Batch

The department has also clarified that students of the 2025–26 academic year will continue receiving physical marksheets under the existing system, ensuring a gradual transition to the digital model.

Digital Push vs Practical Challenges

The move reflects Karnataka’s push toward paperless administration and digital record management, but the situation highlights the gap between policy implementation and global acceptance standards.

Education experts suggest that a hybrid system combining digital and physical documentation may be necessary to avoid disruption, especially for students aiming for international education.