Deepak v. The Director Of School Education,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 19.12.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY Deepak ... Petitioner Vs 1.
The Director of School Education, DPI Campus, College Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 006.
The District Educational Officer, South Zone, Dr.Ambedkar Government Higher Secondary School Campus, Ground Floor, Behind Gandhi Irwin Bridge, Egmore, Chennai - 600 008.
The Principal, Santhome Higher Secondary School, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004.
4.
The Directorate of Government Examinations, State Board of School Examination, Department of Government Examinations, Chennai - 600 006.
... Respondents [R4 suo motu impleaded as per the order of this Court made in W.P.No.49485 of 2025 dated 19.12.2025 by DBCJ] 1/6
PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue writ of mandamus, to direct the respondents 1 to 3 to consider the petitioner's representation dated 04.11.2025 and effect necessary corrections in the petitioner's SSLC, 11th and 12th Marksheet and School records changing his name from Stephene Raj to Deepak, in accordance with the Gazette Notification dated 23.05.2023, within a time frame fixed by this Court. For Petitioner :
Mr.S.Kesavan For Respondents :
Ms.P.Rajarajeswari Government Advocate for R1, R2 & R4
ORDER
The prayer in the writ petition is to direct the respondents to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 04.01.2025 and effect corrections in his 10th, 11th and 12th mark sheets and school record by changing the name from Stephene Raj to Deepak in accordance with the Gazette notification dated 23.05.2023.
The case of the writ petitioner is that his original name was 'Stephene Raj' and accordingly, the same was reflected in his Secondary School Leaving Certificate, 11th Standard-Higher Secondary School Course Certificate and 12th Standard-Higher Secondary Course Certificate. However, thereafter by following the due process of law, the petitioner has changed his name as 'Deepak'. The Aadhar card and the other documents are also changed. The Gazette Publication is also produced before this Court. By enclosing all the above, the petitioner made a representation on 04.11.2025 to alter his name in the School records.
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Ms.P.Rajarajeswari, learned Government Advocate appearing on behalf of the respondents 1 and 2 would submit that as per Rule 5 of the Secondary School Leaving Certificate Rules, the corrections can be made only until the time the petitioner is undergoing the course. Even if the petitioner has changed the name as per the Gazette, the same need not be carried out in the school records.
4.
I have considered the rival submissions made on either side and perused the material records of the case.
5.
In identical circumstances, this Court in S.Guru Prasad Vs. The Directorate of Government Examinations and ors. [W.P.(MD)No.761 of 2020] speaking through Hon'ble Ms. Justice P.T Asha had considered the relevant judgments and allowed the writ petition directing the School Education Authorities to correct the name. In view thereof, since the petitioner is not getting any undue benefit on account of the change, it is only a name change, though it is an additional burden on the respondents, considering the prejudice that is pleaded, the writ petition can be ordered. Charges, if any, shall be collected from the petitioner.
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6.
In view thereof, this Writ Petition is allowed on the following terms:
(i) The 4th respondent is directed to correct the name of the petitioner as 'Deepak' in the place of 'Stephene Raj' in his 10th, 11th and 12th standard mark sheets and school records either by making an endorsement in the existing mark sheets or by issuing a fresh mark sheet; (ii) The said exercise is directed to be completed within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of web copy of the order without waiting for the certified copy.
(iii) No costs.
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To 1.
The Director of School Education, DPI Campus, College Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 006.
The District Educational Officer, South Zone, Dr.Ambedkar Government Higher Secondary School Campus, Ground Floor, Behind Gandhi Irwin Bridge, Egmore, Chennai - 600 008.
The Directorate of Government Examinations, State Board of School Examination, Department of Government Examinations, Chennai - 600 006.
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D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.
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