Odisha Orders Universities to Issue Original Degree Certificates to NCC Cadets Within Six Months

The Odisha Higher Education Department has ordered universities across the state to issue original degree certificates to National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets within six months of providing their provisional degree certificates, seeking to prevent documentation delays from costing eligible candidates recruitment opportunities in the Armed Forces and government services.

The direction was recently conveyed by Director of Higher Education Kali Prasanna Mahapatra to the Controllers of Examination of universities in Odisha. Institutions have been asked to streamline their examination and certification systems so that original degree certificates are prepared and delivered within the prescribed six-month window.

The department’s intervention follows concerns that delays in issuing original academic certificates have been creating serious difficulties for NCC cadets pursuing jobs and competitive recruitment. In many recruitment processes, agencies insist on original educational documents at the stage of document verification and within fixed deadlines. Even when candidates otherwise meet eligibility conditions, failure to produce the required certificates in time can result in missed appointments or the loss of recruitment opportunities.

The order is expected to be particularly important for NCC cadets seeking entry into the Armed Forces, where verification of educational credentials is a critical part of the selection process. It is also likely to help candidates applying for various central government services, where original degree certificates may be needed during recruitment, verification or appointment formalities.

Universities have specifically been told to ensure that the full certification chain — including printing, verification and distribution of original degree certificates — is completed without unnecessary delay. The Higher Education Department has also advised institutions to put in place suitable mechanisms to monitor the process and make sure certificates reach students within the stipulated period.

The issue has been accorded priority by the department, which has instructed universities to take immediate action. The broader aim is to cut administrative lag and ensure that students receive essential academic documents in time for higher studies, employment and competitive recruitment.

The move carries added weight because of the role NCC plays in Odisha’s higher education system and in shaping career aspirations among students. The National Cadet Corps gives students structured exposure to discipline, leadership, physical training and national service, and a significant number of cadets go on to consider careers in the Armed Forces and other uniformed services after graduation.

Under Odisha’s undergraduate education framework aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, NCC is offered as an elective subject. Its inclusion in higher education allows students to combine their academic programme with the organised training and activities associated with the Corps.

With around 63,000 NCC cadets enrolled in educational institutions across Odisha, the question of timely academic certification affects a large student population. The department’s order is therefore expected to have implications beyond individual cases, by reducing the risk that cadets across the state are disadvantaged by delays within the university certification system.

By fixing a six-month deadline from the date of issuance of provisional certificates, the Higher Education Department has sought to introduce greater accountability into the certification process. The measure is designed to ensure that students who have completed their academic requirements can obtain their original credentials in time to compete for recruitment and career opportunities without avoidable administrative obstacles.