How to Publish a Lost Marksheet Ad in Newspaper for Duplicate Certificate Application
Losing a marksheet seems insignificant — until it isn't. An employment opportunity is pending. A college application is lodged. A foreign university requires verification and you have nothing to verify with.
The first formal step to obtaining a duplicate is normally publishing a lost marksheet ad in a newspaper — and it is the step most people take carelessly. Inaccurate information, wrong newspaper, wrong timing. This guide covers how to do it correctly, step by step, without wasting money.
When Is a Newspaper Ad Actually Required for a Lost Marksheet?
Not all boards and institutions require one. But most do.
- CBSE 10th and 12th duplicates — a newspaper advertisement is included in the standard application package.
- UP State Board (UPMSP) — newspaper notice is required.
- Bihar Board (BSEB) — newspaper notice is required.
- Most state boards follow the same pattern. University duplicate certificates tend to mirror this, though individual universities may add their own forms.
- Competitive exam scorecards (JEE, NEET hall tickets) — the issuing authority typically has a distinct process and may not require a newspaper notice. Check directly with them.
Board-Specific Rules — CBSE, State Boards, and Universities
CBSE
The board's duplicate marksheet application form lists required documents. A newspaper advertisement is mandatory — in a recognised newspaper, not any publication. A police report is also required.
UP Board (UPMSP)
This is where I see the most confusion. UP Board specifically requires publication in a Hindi-language newspaper with circulation in Uttar Pradesh. An English-only notice does not meet their requirement. The notice must include the student's name, roll number, year of examination, and name of the board.
Bihar Board (BSEB)
Similar to UP Board — Hindi newspapers are preferred. Bilingual notices are accepted at some regional offices. Most people submit at the district education officer counter in Patna, where staff match newspaper names against an internal list. That list changes without notice — call ahead to confirm.
South Indian State Boards
Most accept English newspapers. A widely circulated state-level English paper works for Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Andhra. Supplementing with a regional language paper is optional but sometimes requested.
Universities
No standard rule applies. Each university decides independently — some require two newspapers, some one, some only an affidavit. Call the certificates section directly, not the general helpline.
How to Write Marksheet Details Correctly in the Ad
This is where most advertisements go wrong. The notice is published and the board rejects it because a detail is missing or incorrect.
- Full name — exactly as it appears on the marksheet. No nicknames or abbreviations.
- Roll number — from the admit card or board records. If you do not have it, retrieve it from the board website using your date of birth and school code.
- Year of examination — the year you sat the exam, not the year the result was announced if these differ.
- Name of the Board/University — in full. "CBSE" or "Central Board of Secondary Education" — check what your specific board prefers.
- Class and subject — 10th or 12th; for degree certificates, the full course name.
- Loss declaration — short and factual: "The original marksheet is lost and not in the possession of any third party." Check the exact wording on your duplicate application form.
- Date and location of loss — approximate is acceptable if you do not know exactly.
English vs Hindi Newspaper for Marksheet Ads — Which One to Pick
For North Indian states — UP, Bihar, MP, Rajasthan — the receiving authority usually requires a Hindi newspaper. A lost marksheet notice in a Hindi daily carries more weight at state board offices in these regions than an English advertisement from a paper that most district staff do not read.
Hindi is preferred when:
Your board is a Hindi-medium state board — UP Board, Bihar Board, MP Board, Rajasthan Board. Publishing in Hindi avoids any back-and-forth at the counter.
English is standard when:
You are in Delhi or a metro applying through CBSE. English is also the default for South Indian state boards, where a widely circulated English paper is accepted. Adding a regional language paper is optional but occasionally requested.
Online Booking Process and What It Costs
Visiting a newspaper office in person is largely unnecessary now. Most major newspapers accept classified advertisements through portals like ReleaseMyAd, Ads2Publish, and BookMyAd.
Booking steps
- Select the Lost and Found or Public Notice category.
- Choose your newspaper and edition.
- Enter your notice text — character counts and previews are usually shown.
- Pay online and receive confirmation with publication date by email.
- The e-paper PDF clipping is emailed within 24–48 hours of publication.
| Ad Type | Publication | Approx. Rate (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Hindi regional classified | Dainik Bhaskar, Amar Ujala, Hindustan | ₹250 – ₹600 (3–4 line notice) |
| English metro classified | Metro daily | ₹500 – ₹1,100 |
| Two-newspaper combo | Hindi + English | ₹700 – ₹1,500 (most cities) |
| District-level paper | Small local paper | ₹150 – ₹200 |
Rates verified via ReleaseMyAd and Ads2Publish rate cards, March 2026. Rates change — confirm before booking.
Using the Ad Proof in Your Duplicate Marksheet Application
The newspaper clipping is one part of a full document package. It does not stand alone.
Typical duplicate marksheet application requires:
- Filled application form from the board or university
- Stamped copy of the police NC/FIR complaint
- Notarised affidavit of loss
- Physical newspaper clipping + e-paper PDF
- Fee receipt (amount depends on the board)
- Passport photograph and identity documents
10 FAQs on Lost Marksheet Ad in Newspaper
The format of a lost marksheet advertisement in newspaper in CBSE 10th or 12 th must contain: full name as per marksheet, roll number, examination year, board name (central board of secondary education), and subject (X or XII) and a statement that the original has been lost and is not in possession of any third party. It should be no more than 40 words. The majority of platforms have a template that is specific to the CBSE - take it and write instead of writing a template. It saves revision.
In the case of lost marksheet advertisements in newspapers in Hindi in UP Board or Bihar Board, the format is identical except that it is written in Hindi script. Name, roll number, pariksha varsh (exam year), name of the board, and declaration of loss. Sample introduction: "मेरी [कक्षा] की अंकसूची, रोल नंबर [XXXX], परीक्षा वर्ष [XXXX], खo गई है।" On booking websites such as ReleaseMyAd can accept Hindi entries directly. In case you are not confident about writing it, use the customer support of the platform, they assist in writing it without any additional fees.
It varies according to the college. In case of lost marksheet advertisements in newspapers to take college admission, most institutions will accept any recognised daily that has extensive circulation within your state. In the case of North India, it is Dainik Bhaskar or Amar Ujala in Hindi; Hindustan Times or Times of India in English. In case of South India The Hindu or Deccan Herald. Check with the college admissions office before booking. There are those that have a list of specifics.
Metro classified (English daily): ₹500–₹1,100. Local town Hindi paper: ₹150–₹400. A lost marksheet advertisement is much cheaper in the smaller cities in the newspapers. Unless your board specifies the paper, then a district level paper of 200 rupees would do the job. There is no point spending a lot on a notice that does not require any design, display, or brand.
The majority of state boards request a police complaint, typically an NC report, rather than a complete FIR. There are minor differences in the police report requirement of lost marksheet advertisements in newspapers: It is mandatory in CBSE, mandatory in UP Board and mandatory in BSEB. Get the NC first. Then the newspaper message. Then the affidavit. Then apply. This is because going in that order will save you the trouble of making that many trips.
Yes. This is done by ReleaseMyAd, Ads2Publish and BookMyAd. Placing a lost marksheet advertisement in online classified portals in newspapers requires 10-15 minutes. You choose the paper, type the notice, pay, and receive a confirmation. The e-paper clipping is received by email when it is published. You do not have to go to the newspaper office.
Full name (as on marksheet), roll number, exam year, board/university name, class or course and a clear loss declaration. Information that must be provided in lost marksheet advertisements in newspapers to prevent rejection by the board - the omission of the roll number is the most frequent cause of stalling of the application. In case you have forgotten the roll number as well, you can get it on the board site and then publish the notice.
Request it at time of booking. All the major platforms send e-paper PDF versions of lost marksheet advertisements in newspapers within 24-48 hours of publication. In the event that you use the newspaper as an intermediary (not a platform), contact the circulation desk or digital desk at the newspaper, most will create page PDFs on demand. Print it and append it with the physical clipping in your application.
The decision on Hindi or English in newspapers to advertise lost marksheet in North Indian states is more important than the people think. Notices that are in Hindi are processed unquestioningly in UP Board and Bihar Board offices. They may even request an English notice to give them a Hindi one. Omit the additional step. Publish in Hindi when your board is a state board of Hindi medium.
The majority of boards do not provide a set amount of waiting time. Some of them request 7-15 days upon publication prior to application being processed. Send immediately when you are ready, with all the papers you have ready, the newspaper notice, NC copy, affidavit, and fee. Delaying an action that you need not delay does not provide legal safeguards. It merely postpones the replica.
