Gujarat Board launches PARAKH Cell, DigiLocker mark sheets for Class 10, 12
Synopsis
Gujarat has simultaneously launched a state-level PARAKH Cell to overhaul how school assessments work and put over one crore historical mark sheets on DigiLocker — a twin move that takes NEP 2020's assessment reform off paper and into practice for millions of Class 10 and 12 students.
Key Takeaways
GSEB launched the state-level PARAKH Cell in Gandhinagar on 7 October 2026 under the NEP 2020 framework.
The cell will develop competency-based question banks, implement the Holistic Progress Card (HPC) , and train teachers in modern assessment methods.
A DigiLocker facility now makes Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets digitally accessible to students after results are declared.
Mark sheets of approximately one crore students from 2021 to 2026 have already been uploaded to DigiLocker.
The initiative is expected to speed up document verification for higher education and employment in India and abroad .
Education Minister Pradyuman Vaja inaugurated both initiatives at GSEB headquarters.
The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSEB) on 7 October 2026 launched a state-level 'PARAKH Cell' in Gandhinagar to steer school assessments toward competency-based learning, and simultaneously rolled out a DigiLocker facility that will make Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets digitally accessible to students immediately after results are declared.
Education Minister Pradyuman Vaja inaugurated the PARAKH Cell at the GSEB headquarters in Gandhinagar and launched the digital mark-sheet service as part of Gujarat's implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
What the PARAKH Cell Will Do
The PARAKH Cell functions under the national framework of PARAKH — Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development — established by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) as the country's National Assessment Centre. Operating at the state level, the cell will prepare competency-based question banks and assessment tools aligned to Gujarat's curriculum.
It will also facilitate implementation of the Holistic Progress Card (HPC), adapted to Gujarat's language and curriculum requirements. Teachers and question paper setters will receive training and guidance on modern assessment methods through the cell. Assessments will be further strengthened via PARAKH ITMS, a technology platform aimed at making the evaluation process more transparent and robust.
DigiLocker Integration: Mark Sheets Go Digital
Under the new DigiLocker facility, digital mark sheets for students appearing in Class 10 and Class 12 examinations will be available for download through the DigiLocker app once results are declared. The state has already uploaded mark sheets of approximately one crore students who appeared for examinations between 2021 and 2026 on the platform.
The facility is expected to significantly simplify and speed up verification of educational documents for higher education admissions and employment opportunities, both within India and abroad — a practical benefit that students have long sought.
What the Government Said
'With the launch of the PARAKH Cell, students will be freed from rote learning and move towards competency-based education,' Minister Vaja said at the event. He added that the National Education Policy was bringing transformative changes to the country's education system, and that Gujarat remained committed to providing quality education alongside a transparent assessment framework.
Vaja also noted that the integration of technology with education would further strengthen the state's overall education system, and congratulated the Education Department and the GSEB team for completing the initiative through coordinated efforts.
Who Was Present at the Launch
GSEB Chairman M.A. Pandya, Gujarat State Board of School Textbooks Chairman Manubhai Pavra, and GSEB Secretary R.R. Vyas were among those present at the launch event, along with board officials and employees.
With both the PARAKH Cell and the DigiLocker integration now operational, Gujarat becomes one of the larger states to concurrently advance NEP 2020's assessment reforms at the board level — and the pace of rollout in other states will likely be watched closely in the months ahead.
Point of View
Uploading one crore historical mark sheets is operationally significant, but the deeper gain — reducing fraud in document verification — will only materialise if employers and universities actually integrate the verification API. Neither reform is self-executing, and Gujarat's track record on NEP 2020 implementation will be the measure that matters.
NationPress
7 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PARAKH Cell launched by the Gujarat Board?
The PARAKH Cell is a state-level assessment body established by the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board on 7 October 2026. It operates under the national PARAKH framework set up by NCERT and will develop competency-based question banks, implement the Holistic Progress Card, and train teachers in modern evaluation methods.
How will DigiLocker help Class 10 and Class 12 students in Gujarat?
Students appearing in Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations will be able to download their official digital mark sheets through the DigiLocker app immediately after results are declared. Mark sheets of approximately one crore students from 2021 to 2026 have already been uploaded, making historical records accessible as well.
What is PARAKH and why does it matter for Indian students?
PARAKH — Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development — is the National Assessment Centre established by NCERT under NEP 2020 to shift school evaluation away from rote learning toward competency-based assessment. State-level cells like the one in Gujarat are meant to translate this national framework into curriculum-specific tools and training.
Who inaugurated the PARAKH Cell and DigiLocker facility in Gujarat?
Gujarat Education Minister Pradyuman Vaja inaugurated both initiatives at the GSEB headquarters in Gandhinagar on 7 October 2026. GSEB Chairman M.A. Pandya, Gujarat State Board of School Textbooks Chairman Manubhai Pavra, and GSEB Secretary R.R. Vyas were also present.
Will the DigiLocker mark sheets be accepted for jobs and higher education abroad?
According to the Gujarat government, the DigiLocker facility is specifically designed to simplify and speed up verification of educational documents for higher education admissions and employment opportunities both within India and abroad, though individual institutions and employers will determine their own acceptance policies.
