Telangana has introduced a new security paper for Meeseva certificates, adding 15 security features intended to prevent counterfeiting and unauthorised duplication of government documents issued through the state’s public-service centres.
The paper was launched by Telangana Minister for IT and Industries D. Sridhar Babu at Praja Bhavan in Hyderabad on Tuesday. The government said the material is designed to improve the security, durability and reliability of certificates used for birth, death, education, employment and other official purposes.
Details of the 15 security features have not been disclosed for security reasons. According to the minister’s statement, the paper has been manufactured using specialised technology and is resistant to tearing and water damage. It is also designed to withstand routine folding, handling and long-term storage.
The government said the improved durability could help citizens preserve important documents for many years. Under normal conditions, the paper is also expected to reduce the need for lamination, which is commonly used to protect certificates but can add a separate cost and inconvenience for citizens.
Meeseva centres provide a range of government services across Telangana, including the issuance of certificates that citizens may need repeatedly for administrative, educational, employment and legal processes. The physical condition and authenticity of these documents can affect their acceptance when they are submitted to government departments, educational institutions or employers.
Special security paper has been used for printing Meeseva certificates since 2011. The newly introduced version replaces that paper with an upgraded solution focused on stronger protection against forgery, greater resistance to physical damage and longer-term preservation.
Sridhar Babu said government certificates often need to be retained for decades and, in some cases, throughout a citizen’s lifetime. “It is the government’s responsibility to ensure that these documents remain durable, secure and reliable,” he said.
The minister said the initiative formed part of the state government’s effort to use modern technology to improve the quality, security and convenience of public services. He added that the new paper would strengthen safeguards against forgery and counterfeiting while reinforcing public confidence in government-issued documents.
The change is particularly relevant to birth and death certificates and other records that citizens may need to preserve for extended periods. While the government has announced the replacement of the existing paper, the supplied information does not specify the rollout schedule across individual Meeseva centres or whether citizens will need to follow any revised process to obtain certificates on the new material.
