Karnataka High Court Allows Minor To Change Name for astrological and numerological reasons, holding that every citizen has a civil right to be recognised by his or her name and that a civil suit for a change of name is maintainable.
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Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has set aside a trial court decision that refused to let a minor girl change her name on the strength of her parents’ astrological and numerological beliefs, and has declared that she shall now be recognised by the new name for all consequential purposes [Minor, represented by her natural guardian v. State of Karnataka and Others].
Justice Hanchate Sanjeevkumar allowed the Regular First Appeal by an order dated September 17, 2026, and decreed the suit. The identity of the minor and her family is withheld in this report.
The case
The minor, acting through her natural guardian, sued the State of Karnataka and school and education authorities in a Bengaluru civil court. She sought a declaration that she is entitled to change her name and a mandatory injunction directing the defendants to record the new name in her school and other records. According to the plaint, the family believed on astrological and numerological grounds that the new name would bring greater prosperity.
The trial court dismissed the suit by a judgment and decree dated January 20, 2026. It found that no document showed the new name, that no public notice had been issued and that the school had not first been approached. Before the High Court, a public notice published in a newspaper was placed on record as additional evidence. The State argued that the suit was not maintainable.
The High Court noted a Government of Karnataka circular dated October 26, 2025, which requires a person seeking a change of name, a parent’s name or date of birth to obtain a decree from the competent civil court.
What the Court said
Justice Sanjeevkumar held that the trial court’s reasoning was unwarranted, because the plaintiff was not alleging that her name had been wrongly recorded at admission but wished to be known by a different name. On the question of forum, the Court said:
“It is a civil right of every citizen in India to be recognized by his/her name.”
The Court held that a suit for correction or change of name before a civil court is maintainable, and that the civil court has jurisdiction under Section 9 of the Code of Civil Procedure:
“for correction or change of name, filing a suit before the Civil Court is maintainable”
The directions
The Court observed that the school has no authority to change names in its records, so a civil court decree was the only route open. It also noted that no one had objected to the change and that sworn evidence can be accepted unless it is contrary to the evidence on record or otherwise disproved.
The High Court allowed the appeal, set aside the trial court’s judgment and decree, and decreed the suit with no order as to costs. It declared that the plaintiff is entitled to change her name, issued a mandatory injunction to the defendants to change the name in all school records, and directed that she be recognised by the new name for all consequential purposes.
Why the order matters
The ruling settles the route for families who want a minor’s name changed in school and public records: a declaratory suit in the civil court, backed by evidence and a public notice, rather than a request to the school or a record-keeping authority. The Court did not test the astrological or numerological belief itself. It treated the name as part of the individual’s identity and the civil court as the competent forum.
Because the State’s circular already points applicants to a civil court decree, the order also confirms that such suits cannot be turned away merely because the stated reason is a personal belief, where the change is proved, uncontested and causes no harm.
Case Title: Minor, represented by her natural guardian v. State of Karnataka and Others [Regular First Appeal No. 703 of 2026 (DEC/INJ)]
Bench: Justice Hanchate Sanjeevkumar, Karnataka High Court
Date of Order: September 17, 2026
Appearances: Sampath Kumar A V, Advocate, for the appellant; V Seshu, Additional Government Advocate, for the State