National digital database of academic qualifications coming: Sibal

Human resource development minister Kapil Sibal yesterday announced that starting 2011, a national database of academic qualifications including certificates / degrees from school to graduate/post graduate level would be created.

The shift to demat format would help authorities counter fake degree rackets and also liberalise the verification process for both students and employers.

Institutions would need to save all academic certification from school leaving certificates to college degrees and professional diplomas in electronic format.

The minister had said last week that the technology-based solution would ensure confidentiality, authenticity and fidelity enabling online verification.

Sibal said a task force had been set up to look into various aspects of the scheme. The task force would submit its report by 31 March. He added that the government would move a legislation to mandate that every academic institution would be required to save certificates in electronic form.

The scheme would link up with the Unique Identity (UID) plan for schools at a later stage.