4 min readMumbaiUpdated: Mar 29, 2026 10:03 AM IST
Kulkarni also said that while the two documents — marksheet and certificate — will be merged into a single document, it will be issued in A4 size to ensure ease of storage and record-keeping, as that is generally the size used for files.
In a major reform aimed at enhancing security and ease of verification, the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has decided to merge the marksheet and certificate into a single document, embedding student photographs for the first time, along with a unique QR code for instant verification through the state board’s official app.
Until now, the conventional practice involved issuing two separate documents — the marksheet at the time of the result, and the certificate after a gap of six months. Neither document carried the student’s photograph or a unique QR code that could provide access to the student’s complete board exam record.
In a separate change, the candidate’s name printed on the marksheet-cum-certificate will now follow the format on the Aadhaar card, replacing the earlier practice of starting with the surname, followed by the student’s name and then the father’s name.
Confirming the decision, Chairman of MSBSHSE, Trigun Kulkarni, said, “All these changes have been pending to take shape for some time at the state board. Having photo of the candidate on marksheet-cum-certificate will ensure clarity in identification. Whereas with the unique QR code anybody will be able to verify the marksheet-cum-certificate to be genuine document. Any individual can scan this QR code from the official mobile application of the Maharashtra State Board to verify the student’s marks in the system. This not only makes verification easy, as opposed to the existing practice of having to approach the board, it completely eliminates the possibility of having fake marksheets.”
This comes as an important update for lakhs of students across Maharashtra who recently finished their Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exams conducted by the Maharashtra State Board. This will be the first batch to receive the new marksheet-cum-certificate. This year, as the Maharashtra State Board exams concluded earlier in March, over 15 lakh students appeared for the HSC, while over 16.5 lakh students appeared for the SSC.
Maharashtra Board's New Marksheet-Cum-Certificate: 10 Key Benefits
MSBSHSE reform for 31.5 lakh+ SSC & HSC students from 2024–25 batch
31.5L+
Students — over 16.5 lakh SSC and 15 lakh HSC — will be the first batch to receive the new unified document
📄
Single Unified Document
Marksheet and certificate merged into one A4-sized document for easier storage and record-keeping
🪪
Photo on Document
Student photograph printed for the first time, ensuring clear and unambiguous identification
📱
QR Code Verification
Unique QR code enables instant document verification via the official Maharashtra Board app
🚫
No More Fake Marksheets
QR-linked authentication completely eliminates the possibility of forged board documents
🆔
Aadhaar-Aligned Name Format
Name format now matches Aadhaar card, ending technical mismatches in official records
⏱️
No 6-Month Wait
Certificate issued with marksheet — the traditional 6-month delay for a separate certificate is eliminated
💰
Reduced Printing Costs
Merging two documents into one substantially cuts the board's printing expenditure; tenders issued
🏫
No Extra Photo Submission
Hall ticket photo reused on certificate; schools can correct photos and names via the official portal
📲
App-Based Digital Check
Anyone can scan and verify marks digitally — no longer necessary to approach the board office
🎓
Historic First Batch
2024–25 SSC and HSC students are the first ever to receive the overhauled unified board document
Express InfoGenIE
Kulkarni also said that while the two documents — marksheet and certificate — will be merged into a single document, it will be issued in A4 size to ensure ease of storage and record-keeping, as that is generally the size used for files.
About the decision to change the format in which a candidate’s name is printed on the marksheet-cum-certificate, Kulkarni said, “Government has already issued guidelines on this as differences between the name format on Board marksheet and AADHAR cards were causing technical issues.”
Story continues below this ad
As the Maharashtra State Board already collects photographs of students at the time of application — which are printed on the candidate’s hall ticket — there is no requirement to collect them separately. However, circulars have been issued to school principals to verify that the candidate’s name and photograph are correct. A facility has been made available on the official website of the Maharashtra State Board for schools to make corrections in both photographs and names.
The new system is also expected to reduce the total expenditure incurred by the Maharashtra State Board on printing marksheets and certificates. As both documents are being merged into a single one, there will be a substantial reduction in costs, and tenders have been issued for the new process.
Pallavi Smart is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, Mumbai Bureau. Her reporting is singularly focused on the education sector, demonstrating exceptional Expertise and Authority across the entire spectrum of learning, from foundational schooling to advanced higher education. She is a highly Trustworthy source for policy, institutional developments, and systemic issues affecting students, teachers, and parents in Maharashtra.
Expertise
Senior Role: As a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, her designation reflects her seniority, specialized knowledge, and the editorial rigor applied to her reporting.
Core Authority & Specialization: Pallavi Smart is the definitive voice for Education news in the region. Her coverage scope is comprehensive:
Policy and Regulatory Changes: Reports on major shifts in educational policy, including the restructuring of entrance exams (e.g., MHT-CET adopting the JEE Main model), the draft regulatory framework for coaching classes, and revised teacher recruitment processes.
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): Provides in-depth reporting on prestigious institutes like IIT Bombay and TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences), covering institutional initiatives, administrative debates (e.g., renaming IIT Bombay), and student welfare programs (e.g., mandatory mental health courses).
Teachers and Eligibility: Covers crucial issues affecting the teaching fraternity, such as the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for in-service teachers and related controversies and application numbers.
Student Welfare & Rights: Focuses on issues concerning students, including the rollout of government scholarships, the financial strain on schools due to midday meal reimbursement delays, and instances of child rights violations (e.g., the Powai studio hostage crisis).
Admissions and Vacancy: Tracks the outcome of centralized admission processes (e.g., MBBS, BPharm) and analyzes vacancy concerns, providing essential data-driven insights for parents and students.
Credentials & Trustworthiness
Dedicated Beat: Her consistent focus on the "KG to PG" education beat allows her to develop unparalleled subject matter knowledge, ensuring her reports are accurate, detailed, and contextualized.
Proactive Reporting: Her articles frequently break news on policy and institutional planning, providing the public with timely, essential information about a sector that directly impacts millions of families.
She tweets @Pallavi_Smart ... Read More
