The new initiatives are part of Gujarat’s efforts to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and strengthen the state’s education and assessment system. While the PARAKH Cell aims to promote competency-based evaluation instead of an excessive focus on rote learning, the DigiLocker facility is designed to make academic documents easier to access, share and verify.

According to the announcement, approximately one crore marksheets for students who appeared in Class 10 and Class 12 examinations between 2021 and 2026 have been uploaded to DigiLocker. Students can access their digital documents online without depending exclusively on physical copies. The board also plans to make marksheets for future examinations available digitally after the declaration of results.

Gujarat Board PARAKH Cell 2026: Key Highlights

• Board: Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSEB)

• New initiative: State-level PARAKH Cell

• Digital facility: Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets through DigiLocker

• Inaugurated by: Gujarat Education Minister Pradyuman Vaja

• Launch date: October 8, 2026

• Venue: GSEB headquarters, Gandhinagar

• Academic records covered: Approximately one crore marksheets from 2021 to 2026

• Policy framework: National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

• Main objectives: Competency-based assessment, easier document access and faster verification

The launch represents two complementary developments: improving how students are assessed and modernising how their academic records are issued and accessed.

What Is the PARAKH Cell Launched by Gujarat Board?

The PARAKH Cell is a state-level initiative established at the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board headquarters. Its principal objective is to support a shift in school assessment practices towards competency-based learning.

Traditional examination systems often place considerable emphasis on memorisation and reproducing textbook information. Competency-based assessment, by contrast, seeks to evaluate whether students understand concepts, can apply their knowledge and can use reasoning to solve problems.

The new cell is aligned with the broader educational reforms outlined in the National Education Policy 2020. Its focus includes developing assessment approaches and evaluation tools that support meaningful learning rather than rote memorisation.

Major Objectives of the PARAKH Cell

1. Promoting competency-based examinations

The initiative aims to encourage assessments that test conceptual understanding, analytical thinking and the practical application of knowledge.

2. Reducing dependence on rote learning

A key objective is to move away from examinations that reward memorisation alone. Students are expected to develop a deeper understanding of subjects and demonstrate their learning through appropriate assessment methods.

3. Training question-paper setters

Training and capacity-building for question-paper setters can help align examination questions with learning outcomes and competency-based assessment principles.

4. Developing evaluation tools

The cell is intended to support the development of tools and approaches that improve the assessment of student learning.

5. Supporting NEP 2020 implementation

The initiative forms part of Gujarat’s broader effort to align school education and assessment practices with the goals of the National Education Policy 2020.

The effectiveness of the initiative will depend on how these approaches are implemented across examinations, schools and teacher-training programmes.

What Is PARAKH and How Does It Relate to NEP 2020?

PARAKH stands for Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development. At the national level, PARAKH was established as part of efforts to improve educational assessment and promote common principles for evaluating student learning.

The broader PARAKH framework emphasises competency-based assessment, learning outcomes and the development of assessment practices that reflect students’ understanding rather than memorisation alone.

The Gujarat Board’s state-level PARAKH Cell is intended to support the implementation of these principles within the state’s school education system.

The National Education Policy 2020 calls for changes in teaching, learning and examinations so that students develop conceptual understanding, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The new initiative is consistent with this direction.

However, the launch of the cell should not be interpreted as an immediate replacement of every existing examination format. Any changes to question papers, assessment patterns or evaluation rules will depend on the board’s subsequent decisions and official notifications.

GSEB Class 10 and Class 12 Mark Sheets Now Available on DigiLocker

Alongside the PARAKH Cell, the Gujarat Board has launched a digital marksheet service for students who appeared in Class 10 and Class 12 examinations.

Approximately one crore marksheets covering the 2021–2026 examination years have been uploaded to DigiLocker. This makes it easier for eligible students to retrieve their academic records online.

The facility is particularly useful for students who need their marksheets for college admissions, further education, scholarship applications, employment procedures or other situations requiring academic verification.

Which Students Can Access the Digital Mark Sheets?

The service covers the following categories of students:

• Class 10 students: Candidates who appeared for the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations conducted by GSEB.

• Class 12 students: Candidates who appeared for the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations conducted by GSEB.

• Students from 2021 to 2026: The board has made approximately one crore marksheets from these examination years available through the digital platform.

Students should enter the correct examination year and seat number when requesting their documents. Availability may depend on the records held by the board and the details supplied by the applicant.

Will Future GSEB Mark Sheets Also Be Available on DigiLocker?

Yes. Under the announced arrangement, marksheets for future Class 10 and Class 12 examinations are expected to be uploaded automatically after the respective results are declared.

This will help establish a more convenient system for accessing academic documents and reduce the need for students to rely exclusively on physical records.

The digital service is also expected to make verification easier for educational institutions and other authorised organisations.

How to Download Gujarat Board Class 10 and 12 Mark Sheets from DigiLocker

Students can follow these steps to retrieve their GSEB marksheets.

1.    Visit the official DigiLocker website at https://www.digilocker.gov.in/ or open the DigiLocker mobile application.

2.    Sign in using an existing account or create an account if required.

3.    Complete the requested verification process using the registered mobile number, Aadhaar-linked details or other supported login method.

4.    Open the Education & Learning section.

5.    Search for Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSEB).

6.    Select the relevant document, such as the Class 10 SSC marksheet or Class 12 HSC marksheet.

7.    Enter the required information, including the examination seat number and year of passing.

8.    Submit the details to retrieve the available record.

9.    Access the digitally issued document in the Issued Documents section of the DigiLocker account.

10.                   Download or share the document as required.

Students should ensure that the details entered match their original examination records. If a marksheet cannot be retrieved, they should check their seat number, examination year and account details before trying again.

Benefits of DigiLocker Mark Sheets for Students

The new facility offers several advantages for students, parents and educational institutions.

1. Easy Access to Academic Records

Students can access their marksheets online without needing to locate a physical copy every time a document is required. This can be especially useful when applying to multiple colleges or courses.

2. Faster Admission Procedures

College admissions often require marksheets for eligibility checks and document verification. Digital access can help students retrieve the required records more quickly.

3. Reduced Dependence on Physical Documents

Physical marksheets can be misplaced, damaged or difficult to access when needed. Digitally issued documents provide an additional way to retrieve academic records.

4. Convenient Document Sharing

Students can use DigiLocker’s supported sharing features to provide documents to institutions and other authorised recipients.

5. Easier Verification

Digitally issued documents can support verification by educational institutions and other authorised organisations, potentially reducing delays associated with manual document checks.

6. Long-Term Record Access

Keeping academic records in a digital account can make them easier to retrieve in the future, provided students maintain access to their accounts and follow the platform’s security procedures.

Students should still check the requirements of the institution requesting a marksheet. They should use the official digitally issued document and follow any additional verification instructions provided by the receiving organisation.

Are DigiLocker Mark Sheets Valid for College Admissions?

Digitally issued documents available through DigiLocker can be used for eligible purposes, subject to the applicable rules and the requirements of the institution requesting them.

Students applying for undergraduate courses, postgraduate programmes, scholarships or employment opportunities should check whether the receiving institution accepts the relevant digital document and whether any additional certificates are required.

Students should also distinguish between documents available in the Issued Documents section and files they have uploaded themselves. An officially issued digital marksheet is preferable when an institution requires an authenticated academic record.

If a college or employer requests a particular format, students should follow those instructions rather than assuming that every uploaded image or scanned copy has the same verification status.

How the PARAKH Cell and DigiLocker Facility Complement Each Other

Although the PARAKH Cell and DigiLocker serve different purposes, both initiatives contribute to the modernisation of Gujarat’s school education system.

The PARAKH Cell focuses on the quality and nature of assessment. Its objective is to encourage examinations that evaluate understanding, reasoning and the application of knowledge.

DigiLocker focuses on the accessibility and verification of academic records. It allows students to retrieve their marksheets digitally and share them when required.

Together, these developments address two important aspects of education: how learning is evaluated and how the results of that learning are documented.

The PARAKH initiative may help support changes in assessment design over time, while digital marksheets can reduce administrative difficulties after examinations. The actual impact will depend on implementation, awareness among students and schools, and the adoption of digital verification by institutions.

What Should Gujarat Board Students Do Now?

Students who passed Class 10 or Class 12 between 2021 and 2026 can check DigiLocker to see whether their marksheets are available.

They should create or access their account, select the appropriate GSEB document and enter the required examination details. After retrieving the marksheet, students should verify the information and keep the document accessible for admission and other official purposes.

Students who are unable to retrieve a record should first confirm that their seat number and passing year are correct. If the issue persists, they should consult the official GSEB or DigiLocker support channels.

Students preparing for future board examinations should also watch for official GSEB notifications about any changes to assessment patterns. The establishment of the PARAKH Cell does not, by itself, confirm a specific change to the syllabus, examination timetable or marking scheme.

Official Websites for Gujarat Board Students

Students can use the following official platforms to access the digital marksheet facility and related information:

• DigiLocker: https://www.digilocker.gov.in/

• Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board: https://www.gseb.org/

For marksheet retrieval, account-related assistance and document verification, students should use the official platforms and follow their published instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What has the Gujarat Board launched in October 2026?

The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board has launched a state-level PARAKH Cell and a facility for accessing Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets through DigiLocker.

Q2. Who inaugurated the PARAKH Cell?

Gujarat Education Minister Pradyuman Vaja inaugurated the cell at the GSEB headquarters in Gandhinagar on October 8, 2026.

Q3. What is the main objective of the PARAKH Cell?

The cell aims to support competency-based assessment, reduce excessive dependence on rote learning, strengthen evaluation tools and help implement the assessment-related goals of NEP 2020.

Q4. Which years of Gujarat Board marksheets are available on DigiLocker?

Approximately one crore marksheets covering Class 10 and Class 12 examinations from 2021 to 2026 have been uploaded.

Q5. How can students download their GSEB marksheets?

Students can log in to DigiLocker, open the Education & Learning section, select GSEB, choose the relevant SSC or HSC marksheet and enter their examination details.

Q6. Will future Gujarat Board marksheets be available digitally?

Under the announced facility, future marksheets are expected to be uploaded automatically after the declaration of examination results.

Q7. Can students use DigiLocker marksheets for higher education?

Digitally issued marksheets can support admission and document-verification procedures, subject to the applicable rules and the requirements of the receiving institution.

Q8. Does the PARAKH Cell mean that the GSEB examination pattern has changed immediately?

Not necessarily. The cell is intended to support competency-based assessment. Specific changes to examination patterns, syllabuses or evaluation rules should be confirmed through official GSEB notifications.

Conclusion

The Gujarat Board’s launch of the PARAKH Cell and the DigiLocker marksheet facility marks an important step towards improving assessment practices and making academic records more accessible. The PARAKH Cell is designed to encourage competency-based learning in line with NEP 2020, while DigiLocker provides students with a convenient way to retrieve and share their Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets.

With approximately one crore records from 2021 to 2026 made available digitally, the facility can help students manage admission and verification requirements more efficiently. Students should access their documents through official platforms, verify their details and follow the latest board instructions regarding examinations and admissions.