The University Grants Commission (UGC) stated that educational documents such as degrees and mark sheets generated through the DigiLocker platform are acceptable documents and that Higher Educational Institutions should accept them.

In India, there are several state and central education boards that provide digitized documents. Even the Central Board of Secondary Education, as well as a number of universities and colleges, have begun to provide digital papers such as certificates and transfer certificates.

“National Academic Depository (NAD) is an online storehouse of academic awards (Degrees. Mark-Sheets, etc.)… It facilitates students to get authentic documents/certificates in digital format directly from their original issuers anytime, anywhere without any physical interference. The Ministry of Education (MoE). Government of India has designated the University Grants Commission (UGC) as an authorized body to implement NAD as a permanent scheme without levy of any user charges in co-operation with the DigilLocker as a single depository of NAD,” the UGC said.

The National Academic Depository (NAD) is an online archive for digital academic records, according to the commission. The Education Ministry has tasked the UGC with implementing NAD as a permanent plan in collaboration with DigiLocker.

Students can obtain digital versions of their materials by using the DigiLocker app or registering at digilocker.gov.in.

It says, “the DigiLocker platform…has the facility to pull students’ Degree, Mark-sheet and other documents into the issued documents section in an electronic form once uploaded through the DigilLocker-NAD platform by the original issuer. These electronic records available on DigiLocker platform are valid documents as per the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000”.

“To enhance the reach of the NAD program all Academic Institutions are requested to accept Degree, Mark-sheets & other documents available in Issued documents in Digilocker account as valid documents”, says the commission.