Many students do not know what certifications or documents are needed to be collected once they graduate in their online degree from a university, leading them to miss some certificates and subsequently ask the university for the remaining.
This Story also Contains
As online education is now growing rapidly, students should know what certificate comes with once they complete their graduation in online mode. If you are the one looking for the same answer, this article is for you. The article will help you know the required certification and its use in the future.
Provisional certificate: This certificate is issued immediately after completing the graduation and clearing all the subjects. Since the final degree certificate needs time to get oriented, a provisional certificate is issued as a temporary proof of graduation.
Final degree certificate: This is the final and most important certificate that is offered to the student by the university to confirm that the student has completed their graduation. It is generally issued after or during the convocation. This certificate holds legal value and is mostly used for post-graduation, jobs and more.
Consolidate marksheet: The consolidated marksheet consists of all the marks from your semester, with subjects you have taken, the points a student obtained, and a student's final CGPA or percentage. This is widely accepted in academic and professional spaces.
Individual semester marksheet: These are individual mark sheets of each semester containing the marks, grades, and credits obtained in each semester. These documents are especially useful when applying for foreign universities or organisations that require detailed academic records.
Migration certificate: This certificate confirms that you have officially completed your course and are eligible to enrol in another university or institution. This is mainly required if a student is planning to pursue further studies elsewhere. This certificate ensures the student has no conflicts in the present and future universities.
Transfer certificate: The transfer certificate is issued to the student from the university to confirm that the student has completed the programme and is no longer enrolled in the university. It includes the details such as your course, duration and conduct. This document is required for admission to other universities.
Bonafide / Course Completion Certificate: The Bonafide or Course Completion Certificate confirms that a student was an officially registered student at the university for a specific duration. It is often required for background checks, scholarships, internships, and certain government processes. It also serves as additional proof of your enrollment.
Character Certificate: The Character Certificate states that you maintained good behaviour and discipline throughout your academic period. While not mandatory everywhere, it is often required for government jobs, defence services, or foreign university applications. It adds credibility during verification.
Digital documents: Digital Documents are verified online copies of your degree, marksheets, and other academic records uploaded on the DigiLocker platform by the university. They hold the same legal validity as physical copies and can be accessed instantly for job applications, higher education, or official verification.
No Dues certificate: The No Dues Certificate is issued after you clear all your pending payments, return library books, and complete formalities with the university. It confirms that you have no outstanding obligations. This certificate is usually required to collect your final degree and other documents without delays.
Also Read: Who Can Do Online Degrees in 2025?
After completing your online graduation, it is essential to collect all the official academic documents issued by the university. These certificates serve as legal proof of your qualification and are required for higher education, job applications, and government verification.
Each document has its own purpose: some act as proof of course completion, while others help with academic transitions or verification. The table below highlights the key documents, their uses, and important notes to keep in mind.
Certificate Name | Uses | Notes |
---|---|---|
Provisional Degree Certificate (PDC) | Used as temporary proof of graduation for job applications, higher studies, and official verification until the final degree is issued. | Issued immediately after course completion. Valid until the final degree certificate is provided. |
Final Degree Certificate | Required for employment, government verification, postgraduation admission, and foreign education credentialing. | Most important and legal proof of graduation. Usually given during or after convocation. |
Consolidated Marksheet | Provides a complete record of academic performance, accepted for most applications. | Contains semester-wise marks, grades, and final CGPA/percentage in one document. |
Individual Semester Marksheets | Used for foreign university applications, credential evaluations, and detailed academic verification. | Issued separately for each semester. Useful when detailed records are required. |
Migration Certificate | Needed when enrolling in another institution for higher studies or transferring to another university. | Confirms completion of the course and allows a smooth transition to another institution. |
Transfer Certificate (TC) | Required for admission to other institutions, official records, and background checks. | Confirms you are no longer enrolled with the university. Includes details like course, duration, and conduct. |
Bonafide / Course Completion Certificate | Used for background verification, scholarships, internships, education loans, and government processes. | Confirms you were an officially registered student during the course duration. |
Character Certificate | Required for government jobs, defence services, or foreign university applications. | Certifies good conduct and discipline during the course. |
Digital Documents (DigiLocker) | Used for instant verification during job applications, higher studies, and government processes. | Verified digital copies uploaded by the university. Legally valid like physical documents. |
No Dues Certificate | Needed to collect the final degree and documents without delay. Confirms clearance of all dues and responsibilities. | Issued after settling all library, lab, and fee dues with the university. |
Before collecting the documents, a student must make sure to check these:
Also Read: Is Online Degree Valid Abroad From Indian Universities?
Collecting certificates after an online graduation is a crucial step which a student should not miss or delay. These records validate your qualification, support your future education plans and make job applications smoother. Always ensure that you have both the hard and soft copies of the documents, and also make sure the university is UGC-approved.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Final Degree Certificate issued by the university is the official proof of your graduation. In some cases, the Provisional Certificate can be used as temporary proof.
You typically need your ID proof, provisional certificate, final semester marksheet, and a no-dues clearance. Some universities may also require a formal application form.
Once your results are declared and dues are cleared, the university issues the original degree during or after convocation. You can collect it in person or request home delivery if the university offers it.
You can download or request your graduation certificate from the university’s official student portal. Many UGC-entitled universities also upload verified certificates on DigiLocker.
You receive the Final Degree Certificate, Provisional Degree Certificate (PDC), Consolidated Marksheet, Migration Certificate, Transfer Certificate, and other supporting documents like Bonafide and Character Certificates.