CHANDIGARH: The Punjab School Education Board has become the first education board in India to onboard the Offline Verification Seeking Entity (OVSE) framework of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), enabling consent based and paperless digital identity verification.
The framework allows eligible entities to verify the identity and Aadhaar-related credentials of individuals through secure mechanisms without accessing UIDAI's Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR). PSEB will use the facility for identity verification while providing online and single-window education-board services.
The OVSE facility can be used to verify the identity of students, parents, guardians, teachers, school representatives and other eligible stakeholders, depending on the service being accessed. It is expected to reduce the need for repeated submission and manual verification of physical identity documents.
Maharishi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak, has also onboarded as an OVSE with UIDAI, becoming the first university in India to do so. The framework will allow the university to use digital identity verification for processes including registration, admission, examinations and student verification.
The adoption of the framework in the education sector can support identity verification at different stages of the student lifecycle, including admission, examinations and issuance and verification of educational documents and certificates.
An OVSE is an entity authorised to undertake offline verification of an Aadhaar number holder in accordance with the applicable UIDAI framework. It allows organisations to verify Aadhaar Verifiable Credentials shared by an individual with their consent. The credentials can be shared fully or selectively.
The framework is designed to enable paperless and contactless identity verification, reduce dependence on physical documents and photocopies, minimise manual data entry and improve operational efficiency. It also supports digitally verifiable credentials and integration with the Aadhaar App.
UIDAI Regional Office Chandigarh is facilitating awareness and adoption of Aadhaar-enabled solutions among government departments, educational institutions and other eligible organisations in its jurisdiction.