Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Sep 14: In a major relief for degree students, the Karnataka government is reportedly set to bring back physical marks cards alongside their digital versions, following sustained demands and protests by students.

The Higher Education Department had earlier planned to issue degree students only digital marks cards through DigiLocker and the UUCMS portal, as part of its move to curb fake marks cards and promote paperless administration. However, amid persistent demands from students, the Karnataka government has reportedly taken the significant decision to resume issuing physical marks cards along with digital copies.

According to reports, several institutions insisted on original physical marks cards when students sought admission to foreign universities for higher studies, attended job interviews at major companies or applied for bank loans. With many institutions reluctant to accept digital copies alone, students reportedly faced difficulties that could potentially affect their academic and career prospects.

There were also serious allegations that universities were collecting printing charges of around Rs 400 from students every year, despite not issuing physical marks cards.

Physical marks cards get the go-ahead

The issue was discussed in detail at a recent meeting of the State Higher Education Council, chaired by Higher Education minister Basavaraj Rayareddy.

Reports said vice-chancellors unanimously suggested that printed marks cards should continue to be issued as before, particularly in view of instances of marks being altered and digital signatures being tampered with even on digital marks cards.

Accordingly, the meeting reportedly approved the distribution of traditional printed physical marks cards, in addition to digital versions, across more than 40 universities in Karnataka from the 2026–27 academic year.

Meanwhile, the return of physical marks cards will not mean the end of digital academic records. Digital copies will continue to be available through the government’s DigiLocker and National Academic Depository (NAD) portals, allowing students and institutions to access and verify them quickly in the future.