Self-certification will suffice

Students going for higher education can finally heave a sigh of relief as they might not have to do too much running around during admission season. The University Grants Commission (UGC), in a new circular, has asked all universities to do away with the requirement of submitting attested documents and have additionally asked them to accept self-certified marksheets, birth certificates and other important papers.

For what was earlier a herculean task for most students, this move has eased out worries of several students. The UGC wrote to all vice chancellors across the country and requested them for initiating “urgent steps” for implementing the measures necessary for the same. The commission has given the universities a week’s time to comply with the directions.

“It is requested that the process of abolition of affidavits and adoption of self-certification may be complied with at the earliest and compliance report be sent to UGC with a week of the issue of the letter,” wrote the commission in a letter dated September 26.

Getting certificates such as mark sheets, birth certificates and domicile certificates attested from gazetted officers often involves a lot of issues as most officers are difficult to reach. This was mainly a problem for students from rural areas who are new to the city.

Accepting self-attestation is in line with the recommendation of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission for adoption of self-certification provision for simplifying procedures. Under this method, original documents are required to be produced at the final stage of admission.

According to the commission, self-certification is citizen friendly and obtaining either an attested copy or affidavit not only costs money to the poor citizen but also involves wastage of time of citizens and Government officials.