Lack of definite surnames among Keralites: Kerala High Court asks CBSE to consider grievance about board exam application forms

Many people in Kerala do no possess definite surnames or last names, the Kerala High Court noted, directing the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to consider a representation against a new format for board examination applications introduced by CBSE. (Harish P.A. v. Secretary, CBSE and Anr.). .The judgment was delivered on November 17 by a single-judge Bench of Justice N Nagaresh in a petition filed by a ninth grader's father taking exception to the new format for application introduced by the CBSE requiring students to "preferably expand" abbreviations of surnames..The court noted that the trait of not having surnames or expansion of initials is common in Kerala while many consciously leave out their last names or family names as these are indicative of caste status."Members of some of the communities in Kerala, traditionally have no surnames. A good section of citizens having surnames, do not state or display surnames because surnames mostly are indicative of caste status," the judgment noted. Additionally, many use initials, names of parents, relatives or unrelated last names after their primary names, the court said.."As the abbreviations along with names are not definite indicatives of surname/father's name/mother's name/family name, the abbreviations without its expansions are used as integral part of their names," the court observed..The board, in a circular, had issued instructions to schools to ensure that that the expanded name of the student/ mother/father/guardian should be given and no abbreviations should be used. The instructions required that the data furnished should be similar in all documents like certificate of date of birth, school records, Aadhaar, passport etc. The petitioner's son's name as per birth certificate was Tarun A. It was the petitioner's case that in order to comply with the directions issued by the CBSE, the petitioner may have to correct the name of his son in the birth register which is a cumbersome and time-consuming process. The petitioner, therefore, submitted a representation explaining his difficulty and suggesting that the CBSE should provide an additional column showing the expansion of the initials of the student/ father/ mother/ guardian, in the same way names are provided in passports and school leaving certificates..Members of some of the communities in Kerala, traditionally have no surnames.Kerala High Court.After the CBSE's counsel informed the Court that the instructions were advisory in nature, the Court thought it fit not to pass any order. The instructions were only to ensure students would not have trouble later on when visiting abroad, it was stated..Due to lack of options in some forms, citizens in Kerala are forced to give the expansion of abbreviations attached to their names in the ‘surname’ column, which may further cause complications in their official transactions.Kerala High Court.The Court explained how many in Kerala overcame the surname expansion requirement in official documents, stating that they provided their 'last names' and initials instead of 'surnames' and expanded these (if abbreviated). This, however, could result in complications in official transactions, the Court underscored."Due to lack of options in some forms required to be filled for official purposes, citizens in Kerala are forced to give the expansion of abbreviations attached to their names in the ‘surname’ column, which may further cause complications in their official transactions. The grievance raised by the petitioner merits consideration by CBSE," the Court reasoned..Since the grievance raised by the petitioner is one faced by many parents/students in the State, it would be only just and proper that the CBSE considers representation of the petitioner for the benefit of all who are facing the same problem, the court ruled. ."In the circumstances, it will be sufficient to direct that CBSE shall consider the grievance raised in the representation while formatting their registration forms next time," the court held..The grievance of the petitioner raised in the writ petition raises an issue faced by many citizens in the State of Kerala.Kerala High Court.Senior Advocate T Sethumadhavan, Advocate Preethi PV, and MV Balagopal argued for the petitioner, and CBSE Standing Counsel Nirmal S appeared for the CBSE..[Read Judgment]