HEC Goes Digital: Degree Attestation Now Fully Online, Paperless to Facilitate Students

Hamid Khan Wazir

ISLAMABAD: In a major digital leap, the Higher Education Commission Pakistan (HEC) has unveiled a hassle-free and fully paperless online degree attestation system for students nationwide, bringing an end to the old system of long queues and manual processing.

The HEC Chairman Niaz Ahmad Akhtar announced a comprehensive upgrade to the Degree Attestation System (DAS), introducing a fully online and paperless mechanism aimed at modernising verification services for students and graduates across Pakistan.

In December last year, the HEC said that it had initiated a project to revamp its degree attestation system by integrating cutting-edge blockchain technology, saying the project would be completed within six months. Meanwhile, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Government Assurances had also asked the HEC to reduce the turnaround time in degree attestation.

In a post on X, HEC Chairman on Monday said the new system eliminates the need for applicants to physically visit HEC offices or submit original documents, as the entire process has now been digitised to enhance ease and accessibility.

He further explained that the newly introduced "e-Attestation Certificate System" is designed to offer a secure, efficient, and user-friendly experience, with online verification of attested documents and certificates available across all relevant institutions.

According to the commission, the upgraded online DAS will be formally launched and become effective from May 11, with complete details available on its official website. Applications can be submitted 24/7 through the online portal www.eservices.hec.gov.pk.

Candidates apply by creating an account and providing personal and academic details. Applicants can upload transcripts online for HEC scrutiny and university-level verification of credentials.

Payment is made online through the 1-Link payment system. An e-attestation certificate is issued for the submitted documents after final review.

Applicants will receive notifications via SMS and email upon completion of the process. The verifiable certificate can also be downloaded directly from the HEC online portal account.

Before the launch of this system, applicants had to either send their documents to HEC by post or visit its offices to have their degrees and related papers attested. Under the new arrangement, the commission will issue a verifiable e-certificate in place of the stamp used in the manual process. HEC stated that the change is expected to reduce both the time involved and the cost associated with the earlier method.