ShikkhaChain: A Blockchain-Powered Academic Credential Verification System for Bangladesh

Abstract: Academic credential fraud threatens educational integrity, especially in developing countries like Bangladesh, where verification methods are primarily manual and inefficient. To address this challenge, we present ShikkhaChain, a blockchain-powered certificate management platform designed to securely issue, verify, and revoke academic credentials in a decentralized and tamper-proof manner. Built on Ethereum smart contracts and utilizing IPFS for off-chain storage, the platform offers a transparent, scalable solution accessible through a React-based DApp with MetaMask integration. ShikkhaChain enables role-based access for governments, regulators, institutions, and public verifiers, allowing QR-based validation and on-chain revocation tracking. Our prototype demonstrates enhanced trust, reduced verification time, and improved international credibility for Bangladeshi degrees, promoting a more reliable academic and employment ecosystem.