TGBIE To Issue Tear-Proof Memos Soon

Hyderabad: Starting next year, students passing the intermediate examinations will receive a tear-proof and water-resistant pass certificate, the Telangana Board of Intermediate Education (TGBIE) announced.

The board has decided to upgrade the material used for printing the pass certificate cum memorandum of marks. The thickness of the paper will be increased from the existing 120 GSM to 180 GSM, significantly enhancing its durability and ensuring it lasts a lifetime.

GSM refers to grams per square metre. Typically, 180 GSM paper is used for brochures and high quality photographs. Anything below this thickness is considered to be thin.

Unlike the current version, which is prone to tearing and damage from water, the new certificate will offer greater protection from liquid exposure. The decision follows repeated complaints about damage to certificates.

For instance, the recent floods in Mulugu district damaged certificates and the Board had issued duplicate certificates at no cost to the affected students.

Another key change is the introduction of a colour photograph of the student. Replacing the current black and white passport-sized photo, the colour image will aid in better identification.

To strengthen security and ease of verification, the new certificates will also carry a Quick Response (QR) code. This embedded code will contain the student’s academic credentials and, when scanned using a smartphone, will direct users to the Board’s website to instantly verify the certificate’s authenticity.

This feature is expected to streamline verification by government and private employers, who otherwise approach the Board directly to confirm employee qualifications.

The TGBIE has already implemented QR code-based hall tickets for this year’s Intermediate Public Examinations. These enabled students to easily navigate to their examination centres, view the distance from their location and estimate travel time based on traffic conditions.