JUDGMENT

S. Ravindra Bhat, J. The writ petitioner seeks a direction to the respondents (hereafter called "CBSE") to change his name from "Dhruva Pramod Parate" to "Dhruva Parate". He seeks a consequential direction to the CBSE to issue a fresh 10th class certificate after recording necessary change.

2. The petitioner is the son of Mr. P. M. Parate; he completed studies from the Delhi Public School, Vasant Kunj and appeared in the Class-Xth examination held by the CBSE in 2006. At that time, his name was "Dhruva Pramod Parate". The mark-sheet and certificate issued by CBSE recorded that name. It is contended that due to religious and astrological reasons, the petitioner's name was changed from "Dhruva Pramod Parate" to "Dhruva Parate". It is claimed that this name change was recorded by the school authorities in Office register dated 25.05.2006. The petitioner, therefore, sought for rectification of the name recorded by the CBSE. It is submitted that despite several reminders, the CBSE did not accede to the request. The petitioner submits to having got the changed name published in two daily newspapers, i.e. the Times of India and Navbharat Times on 04.05.2006. He also relies on the copy of an affidavit attested by the Notary Public on 27.04.2006, duly executed by his father.

3. The CBSE in its return contends that it is governed by the norms governing the name change or correction which are contained in bye-law 69; it is in the following terms:

"69 Changes in Board's Certificate

69.1 Changes & Correction in Name

i. No change in name/surname once recorded in the Board's records shall be made. However, correction in the name to the extent of correction in spelling errors, factual typographical errors in candidate's name/surname, father's name/mother's name or guardian's name to make it consistent with what is given in the school record or list of candidates (LOC) submitted by the school may be made.

Provided further that in no case, correction shall include alteration, addition, deletion to make it different (except as mentioned above) from the LOC or the school records.

ii. Application for correction in name/surname will be considered only within two years of the date of declaration of result provided the application of the candidate is forwarded with the following documents:

iii. The Board may effect necessary corrections after verification of the original records of the school and on payment of the prescribed fee."

4. The CBSE submits that initially the petitioner was studying in Delhi Public School, Noida; he migrated to Delhi Public School, Vasant Kunj in April 2003. The form filled by his father on 07.04.2003 reflected his name as "Dhruva Pramod Parate." The CBSE also refers to the Admission Register of the Delhi Public School and the details received from the school, which described petitioner's name as "Dhruva Pramod Parate".

5. The CBSE relies upon the order of this Court in Naina Anand v. CBSE (W.P. 4973/2008 dated 03.09.2008) and Miss Parul Dabas v. CBSE (W.P. 7933/2007 decided on 18.09.2008) and submits that name changes made after the issuance of the certificate will be recorded in respect of later examinations and no infirmity can be found with the certificate issued for an earlier period or examination.

6. The narrow controversy requiring decision in this case is whether the petitioner can claim the direction he seeks, for reflection of the name change made by him after the certificate was issued, in 2006. A reading of bye-law 69 undoubtedly suggests that name changes can be considered and granted within two years. The definition of name change includes errors,