Daily News Analysis » Right to Change One’s Name

Right to Change One’s Name

Recently, the Allahabad and Delhi High Courts in India highlighted that changing one's name is an important aspect of the right to life, as stated in Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.

Key Points:

    • According to the Allahabad High Court, every Indian citizen has the basic right to keep or change their name as they wish.
    • The courts noted that if the authorities refuse requests to change names, it goes against the basic rights of the person as per Articles 19(1)(a), 21, and 14 of the Constitution.
    • The Delhi High Court also emphasized that the right to personal identity is a vital part of the right to life as per Article 21.
    • Both these cases underline the importance of personal identity. They acknowledge that each person has the right to a name that represents their dignity and safeguards them from any social prejudice
  • Exceptions: 
  • It’s essential to note that while the right to change one’s name is a basic right, it’s not an absolute right. 
  • There can be some reasonable limitations to it. 
  • The Allahabad High Court explained that any such restrictions need to be fair and justifiable.