Union Education Ministry launches Permanent Education Number for students: A step towards transparency

The Union Education Ministry has taken a new initiative to improve transparency and accountability in the education system by launching Permanent Education Number (PEN) for students of both government and private schools. This unique identification system based on Aadhaar card is designed to track the education journey of students, ensure proper documentation and reduce instances of fraud and school dropouts.

Schools in Himachal Pradesh are already working towards implementing this system, with the state education department taking the lead. Data collection is being done through the Unified District Information System for Education (U-DISE) Plus portal, which requires schools to upload 53 essential details about each student. These details include not just academic records but also health information such as height, weight, blood group and other personal identifiers.

Once the required data is uploaded, each student will be assigned a Permanent Education Number. This PEN will be mandatory for all school-related activities, especially the issuance of Transfer Certificates (TC). If the PEN is not entered, the online TC will not be generated, ensuring that the system remains foolproof and students’ educational records are maintained correctly.

The Permanent Education Number will also be linked to other digital platforms, including DigiLocker, to centralise student information for easy access. This will aid in tracking students who have dropped out of school or transferred to another school, helping the government monitor student retention more effectively.

Additionally, the PEN system is expected to curb the misuse of fake mark sheets, a problem that has plagued educational institutions in the past. By creating a verified, centralised record of students’ academic credentials, the government aims to bring more integrity to the education system. Students will also benefit from the transparency this system offers, ensuring that they can access government schemes and services without the risk of fraud. This initiative is a significant step towards modernizing the educational structure, making the system more transparent, efficient and secure for both students and schools.