Court allows issuance of migration certificate with alias but holds petitioner must first rectify school and college documents before name change in professional records
In a recent judgment delivered on October 12, 2026, the Rajasthan High Court (Jaipur Bench) ruled in the matter of Jai Gurjar v. State of Rajasthan and Others, addressing the issue of a name change in educational and professional records. The petitioner, formerly known as Jai Shri Ram, sought legal permission to appear in the Medical Officer Direct Recruitment Examination, 2026 under his newly adopted name "Jai Gurjar."
The petitioner had successfully changed his name through a notification published in the Rajasthan Gazette dated June 4, 2026, and had applied to both the Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS) and the Rajasthan Medical Council (RMC) for the alteration of his name in official medical records. RUHS had issued an office order directing SMS Medical College, Jaipur, to issue a migration certificate in the name "Jai Shri Ram alias Jai Gurjar." Meanwhile, the RMC's application status showed approval by the Registrar.
However, the respondents argued that the petitioner's original educational documents, including school and college certificates, still reflected the old name "Jai Shri Ram." They contended that unless these foundational records were corrected, the name could not be changed in MBBS course records or the Medical Registration Certificate.
The Court concurred with the respondents, emphasizing that a mere publication in the Gazette and approval status before the medical council do not suffice for correction in professional records. It held that until the petitioner's name is rectified in the original educational documents issued by the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education and the RUHS, the change cannot be effected in the MBBS course records or the medical registration certificate.
Granting limited relief, the Court directed RUHS to issue the migration certificate with the clarifying alias "Jai Shri Ram alias Jai Gurjar," thus acknowledging the petitioner's name change notification. However, it clarified that no directions were issued compelling authorities to alter the petitioner's name in educational and medical registration records at this stage.
The petitioner was granted liberty to approach the relevant authorities again after completing necessary rectifications in his school and college documents. The Court disposed of the writ petition with this liberty, making it clear that any further processing of applications by authorities must strictly follow the law.
This judgment highlights the importance of consistent and verified documentation for name changes in educational and professional records, especially in regulated fields such as medical education and practice. It also underscores that official gazette notifications and approvals by professional councils are insufficient without corresponding changes in foundational educational certificates.
Bottom Line:
Change of name in educational and professional records - Mere publication of changed name in Rajasthan Gazette and approval status before Rajasthan Medical Council does not entitle petitioner to correction in MBBS/registration records or participation in recruitment under new name unless corresponding correction is first made in school/college documents - Petitioner granted liberty to approach authorities after such rectification.
Statutory provision(s):
Constitution of India, 1950 Article 226
Jai Gurjar v. State of Rajasthan, (Rajasthan)(Jaipur Bench) : Law Finder Doc Id # 3001726
