CBSE nod must for name change

Tightening its norms for change of name, a practice which has often been misused during students’ union elections by the contesting candidates, the Delhi University has made it mandatory to have approval from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) or state boards for any such request.

“It is hereby clarified that it is mandatory for students seeking change of name to get his or her name changed from CBSE or state boards first,” an official communication of the university said.

Earlier, those seeking change of name had to submit newspaper cuttings in original as proof of the advertisement published in this regard in at least two leading Indian daily newspapers, self-declaration on the prescribed format by the applicant, and a copy of the Government of India gazette notification about the change of name.

The Delhi University had decided to amend its rules for changing names following a directive from the Delhi high court which had observed in November 2014 that the practice among candidates to add an “A” before their names prior to Delhi University Students’ Union election in order to get themselves listed at the top of the ballot paper “is flawed.”

The varsity had last year done away with the contentious provision by barring students from contesting elections on changed names and using only the names registered during admission in the Delhi University.

Following an executive council meeting, the varsity had in July notified new rules for change of name while studying in Delhi University. “All other rules and regulations notified earlier will remain in place,” the communication said. A senior Delhi University official said that this rule will stop the existing practice by candidate aspiring to contest Dusu polls. “A number of aspiring Dusu candidates used to secure first place on the ballot by adding ‘A’ or ‘AA’ or ‘AAA’ to their names, but with new rules we hope that such practice will end,” he added.