TG BIE introduces UV fibres, QR codes in intermediate certificates

The Telangana Board of Intermediate Education has upgraded intermediate certificates with advanced security features such as UV fibres, QR codes, colour photographs and waterproof paper. The move aims to prevent forgery and make academic verification faster and easier.

Hyderabad: What looks like a regular intermediate pass certificate will now hide a complex web of protection, including UV fluorescent fibres that are invisible to naked eyes.

In addition to the hologram and watermark, the Telangana Board of Intermediate Education (TG BIE) is giving a major upgrade to security features of the intermediate pass certificate cum memorandum of marks, which will be awarded from this academic year.

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One of the major upgrades being incorporated in the certificate is ultraviolet fluorescent security fibres, which are tiny and coloured synthetic fibres that are mixed into the paper. These fluorescent fibres glow only when they are exposed to the UV lamp.

“It has been decided to enhance the security features of the intermediate pass certificate cum memorandum of marks certificate from 18 to 25 from this academic year. Certificates awarded to students will now come with UV fibres, making them tamper-proof,” TG BIE sources told ‘Telangana Today’.

As against the regular black and white photo, the memorandum of marks certificate will come printed with a colour passport-size photograph of the student concerned. This will enable easy identification of the candidate.

As reported in these columns, the TG BIE is making its certificate water, tear and tamper-proof. “A special paper covered with a thin layer of plastic cover will be used for printing certificates. This will make the certificate tearproof and waterproof. We have also enhanced paper thickness from 120 GSM to 180 GSM,” sources said.

Further, each certificate will now have a unique Quick Response (QR) code, which will be linked to the Board’s digital database.

The initiative is aimed at allowing employers, educational institutions and other recruiting agencies to verify a student’s academic credentials on a smartphone instead of reaching out to the Board’s office. For this, the Board’s six years students’ database available with the Centre for Good Governance will be integrated to the Board’s website.

“Apart from companies, we receive requests from the Indian Army seeking to verify credentials of the candidates taking part in the army recruitment rally. So, we are making the verification process simple by printing unique QR codes, which come embedded with information, in the intermediate pass certificate,” a senior official said.