Bengaluru: The Karnataka government is reportedly set to resume issuing physical marks cards to degree students alongside their digital versions, following sustained demands from students who faced difficulties when institutions insisted on original printed documents.
The Higher Education Department had earlier planned to provide degree students with only digital marks cards through DigiLocker and the University and College Management System (UUCMS), as part of efforts to curb the circulation of fake marks cards and promote paperless administration.
However, the move reportedly led to concerns among students, particularly those pursuing higher studies abroad or seeking employment and financial services where institutions continued to ask for physical academic documents.
According to reports, the government has now decided to continue issuing traditional printed marks cards in addition to digital records from the 2026–27 academic year.
Students raise concerns over digital-only marks cards
The decision to shift towards digital-only marks cards was intended to make academic records easier to access and verify while reducing the possibility of forged documents.
Under the proposed system, students could access their academic records through DigiLocker and UUCMS, eliminating the need for universities to print and distribute physical documents.
However, students and educational institutions reportedly raised concerns about the practical difficulties of relying exclusively on digital records.
Several institutions, particularly those outside India, were reportedly insisting on original physical marks cards when students applied for admission to foreign universities. Students attending job interviews at major companies and those applying for bank loans also faced situations where printed academic documents were sought.
The reluctance of some institutions to accept digital copies reportedly created difficulties for students, especially those who needed to submit original documents within a specific deadline.
Students had argued that while digital records offered convenience, physical marks cards remained important for verification in several academic, employment and financial processes.
Higher Education Council discusses issue
The issue was reportedly discussed at a recent meeting of the State Higher Education Council chaired by Higher Education Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy.
According to reports, vice-chancellors attending the meeting unanimously suggested continuing the practice of issuing printed marks cards.
The recommendation came amid concerns over the continued requirement for physical documents and questions surrounding the reliability of digital records alone.
The vice-chancellors reportedly also discussed instances of marks being altered and digital signatures being tampered with even in digital marks cards.
Following the discussions, the meeting reportedly approved the distribution of traditional printed marks cards along with digital copies across more than 40 universities in Karnataka.
The revised arrangement is expected to come into effect from the 2026–27 academic year.
Digital academic records will continue
The reported decision does not mean Karnataka is abandoning its digital academic-record system.
Digital copies of marks cards will continue to be available through DigiLocker and the National Academic Depository (NAD). Students and institutions will therefore have access to both physical and electronic versions of academic records.
The digital system is intended to make verification faster and more convenient, particularly when institutions need to confirm a student’s academic credentials without relying solely on physical documents.
The continued availability of digital records is also expected to support Karnataka’s broader efforts towards paperless administration and secure storage of educational documents.
At the same time, physical marks cards would provide students with a conventional document that can be submitted wherever original printed records continue to be required.
Printing charges become another concern
The controversy also reportedly involved allegations concerning printing charges collected by universities.
There were allegations that some universities were collecting around Rs 400 from students every year towards printing charges, even though physical marks cards were not being issued under the proposed digital-only system.
The issue added to students’ dissatisfaction with the planned transition.
For students, the reported decision to restore physical marks cards could therefore address both the documentation difficulties and concerns over paying for printed records that were not being provided.
However, the exact implementation process, including the manner in which physical marks cards will be issued and the applicable charges, will depend on the formal directions issued by the Higher Education Department and individual universities.
Move expected to benefit students
The return of physical marks cards is likely to provide greater flexibility to degree students while retaining the advantages of digital academic records.
Students will be able to use printed marks cards where universities, employers, financial institutions or other organisations require physical documents, while digital copies can be used for online applications and quick verification.
The development also reflects the challenges involved in moving from traditional paper-based academic documentation to an entirely digital system. While digital records can improve accessibility and reduce paperwork, the continued acceptance of physical documents by institutions in India and abroad remains an important consideration.
With more than 40 universities expected to follow the revised system from the 2026–27 academic year, students in Karnataka could once again receive physical marks cards along with their digital academic records.
The reported decision is therefore expected to strike a balance between the government’s push for digital education records and the practical documentation requirements faced by students.