Proposal to create national database to come up before Cabinet

Updated on: Tuesday, March 22, 2011

A proposal by the Government to create a national database of academic qualifications in DMAT format, which would authenticate and reissue certificates, is likely to be presented before the Union Cabinet.
The nod by the Cabinet would pave the way for the HRD Ministry to bring the National Academic Depository (NAD) Bill 2011 in the Parliament.
 
"Forged certificate is a major problem. There is no verification process with the employer. The credibility of our institutes come under question.
 
We are contemplating to establish a national database in an electronic format by an identified registered depository," HRD Minister Kapil Sibal had told reporters earlier.
 
All institutes, including school boards, IITs, NITs, polytechnics and school boards from different states, will have linkages to the depository.
 
What is envisaged is a shift from the current practice, through dematerialisation of certificates, to a technology-based solution that would ensure confidentiality, authenticity and fidelity, enabling online verification and easy retrieval of academic qualifications, said HRD Ministry officials.
 
The National Institute of Technology (Amendment) Bill is also likely to come up before the Cabinet in light of some changes suggested by Department related Parliamentary Standing Committee in the Bill.
 
The National Council for Teacher Education (Amendment) Bill is also likely to be taken up by the Cabinet in view of certain changes proposed by the Standing Committee, sources said.

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