Medininagar (Palamu): The process of filling examination forms for students appearing in the 2027 Matric, Inter, Madrasa and Madhyama examinations in Jharkhand has undergone a major change. The Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) has made the Permanent Education Number (PEN) of students and the U-DISE code of educational institutions mandatory for registration and examination form submission.
Students will not be able to complete registration or submit examination forms without these details. JAC has directed all schools and concerned institutions to ensure that PEN numbers are generated for students by September 30.
PEN Number and U-DISE Code Made Mandatory
The new system has been introduced to prevent duplicate registrations and make student data more reliable. Following JAC’s directions, district-level authorities have also started seeking information from schools regarding students’ PEN numbers.
Apart from Matric and Inter examinations, PEN numbers and U-DISE codes will also be mandatory for Madhyama and Madrasa examinations, including Vastania, Fauquania and Maulvi examinations. JAC implemented the arrangement following directions from the School Education and Literacy Department.
How Is the PEN Number Generated?
Student data is uploaded to the Government of India’s U-DISE portal, following which the PEN is generated automatically. JAC has directed principals and headmasters to ensure the availability of PEN numbers as soon as student admissions begin in every academic session.
Institutions that do not have a U-DISE code have been asked to obtain one immediately. Such institutions have been directed to approach the State Project Director of the Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC) for the required process.
Integrated Student Database to Be Created
The PEN system will help create an integrated and organised database of students. According to the instructions, this is expected to improve the reliability of examination-related data and support educational planning, monitoring and policy formulation.
Verified student data will also help authorities prepare better plans for improving the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), Net Enrolment Ratio (NER) and dropout rate.
Schools Without U-DISE Code Face Difficulties
Schools that do not yet have a U-DISE code are facing difficulties under the new requirement. Several such schools have started contacting nearby institutions with U-DISE codes to explore the possibility of completing students’ examination forms.
However, JAC has instructed all concerned institutions to obtain their own U-DISE codes through the prescribed procedure.
District Education Officer, Palamu, Sandeep Kumar said that details have been sought from the headmasters of all high schools and Plus Two schools regarding how many students appearing in the 2027 Inter and Matric examinations have received PEN numbers and how many are yet to receive them. Information on the reasons for students not having PEN numbers has also been sought.
