Tamil Nadu Universities Adopt DigiLocker for Student Academic Records Storage in Accordance with NEP Directive
In a significant move towards modernising higher education, Tamil Nadu state-run universities are expected to fully implement the National Academic Depository (NAD) DigiLocker system soon, as guided by the Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education (TNSCHE). This decision is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) and aims to digitise academic records, streamline admissions processes, and enhance the integrity of higher education admissions.
The NAD DigiLocker system is a 24/7 online repository that securely stores academic awards such as degrees, provisional certificates, and mark sheets. It guarantees authenticity, secure storage, and easy retrieval of documents, minimising the risk of forged certificates. The system also allows students to share their credentials instantly, reducing verification time from weeks to just a day or two.
This implementation will significantly impact students' certificate management and higher education admissions. By providing a secure, digital repository for academic certificates and mark sheets, it reduces reliance on physical documents. Quick and efficient digital verification of academic credentials by universities and admission bodies prevents delays and fraud. Seamless, faster admission processes are facilitated as verifications that earlier took weeks can now be completed within days.
Students can access and share their academic records anytime and anywhere digitally through DigiLocker, improving transparency and convenience. The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), a virtual storehouse of credits earned by students throughout their academic careers, also acts as a complementary system to the NAD DigiLocker. It ensures easy access and mobility of academic records, aligning with the NEP's promotion of digitising academic records.
Private companies can also integrate with DigiLocker to issue and verify digital documents before interviews, reducing verification time from weeks to a day or two. This initiative will not only modernise certificate management but also improve administrative efficiency and enhance the integrity of higher education admissions.
The Tamil Nadu state-run universities are adopting the NAD DigiLocker system in accordance with an advisory from the TNSCHE. With TNSCHE's guidance, Tamil Nadu's universities are expected to fully integrate DigiLocker into their academic systems. Students can access and download their digital certificates anytime without physically visiting their universities, making the process more convenient and efficient.
This move by Tamil Nadu state universities aligns with national efforts to provide secure, paperless access to educational records. As the implementation timeline for the NAD DigiLocker system in all state-run universities in Tamil Nadu is expected to be completed soon, it marks a significant step towards modernising certificate management, improving administrative efficiency, and enhancing the integrity of higher education admissions.
[1] Source: Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education (TNSCHE) advisory, August 2025.
The National Academic Depository (NAD) DigiLocker system, a 24/7 online repository, will provide secure storage and easy retrieval of academic records for students, reducing the risk of forged certificates and verifications that once took weeks to just a day or two. This development, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP), will streamline education and self-development processes in India, particularly technology-related fields, by digitising academic records and enhancing the integrity of higher education admissions.
By adopting the NAD DigiLocker system, Tamil Nadu state-run universities are not only modernising certificate management but also improving administrative efficiency. This move, aligned with national efforts, will significantly impact students' convenience, proving the accessibility of educational records anytime and anywhere, ultimately enhancing the credibility and integrity of higher education admissions in India.
