Neethu v. Regional Officer, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE); Central Board of Secondary Education, Head Office; Principal, Gangothri English Medium School, Nemmara, Palakkad, Kerala

# **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM`** # **`PRESENT`** ## **`THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN`** # **`THURSDAY, THE 24[TH] DAY OF AUGUST 2023 / 2ND BHADRA, 1945 WP(C) NO.28453 OF 2023`** ## **`PETITIONER:`** ``` NEETHU, AGED 32 YEARS D/O.VEVALSA KUMAR, THOTTATHIL HOUSE, MARUTHANCHERY, KAIRADY P.O, THIRUVAZHIYAD, PALAKKAD DISTRICT, PIN - 678510 ``` ``` BY ADVS. JITHIN BABU A ARUN SAMUEL CLEMANCE ANTO GRACE THOTTAPPILLY ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS:`** - **`1 THE REGIONAL OFFICER CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION (CBSE), REGIONAL OFFICE, 1630-A, J BLOCK, ANNANAGAR WEST, CHENNAI, PIN - 600040`** ``` 2CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY, HEAD OFFICE, SHIKSHA KENDRA, 2, COMMUNITY CENTER, PREETH VIHAR, DELHI, PIN - 110092 ``` - **`3 THE PRINCIPAL GANGOTHRI ENGLISH MEDIUM SCHOOL, NEMMARA, PALAKKAD, KERALA, PIN – 678508`** ``` BY SRI.NIRMAL S., SC ``` ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 24.08.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` WP(C) NO.28453 OF 2023 2 ## **`JUDGMENT`** ``` Ext.P1 application of the petitioner for correction of date of birth in the School records was rejected by the 1[st] respondent by Ext.P5 order. On a perusal of Ext.P5, it is seen that the only reason stated therein is that the request for correction of date of birth cannot be considered as per amended examination bye-laws. Ext.P5 order reads as follows: ``` ``` “In this regard, I am directed to inform that the request for correction in Date of Birth was processed, but not considered by the Competent Authority as per the AMENDED EXAMINATION BYE-LAWS RULE 69.2, which states that “no change in the date of birth once recorded in the Board’s records shall be made”. Further the School record submitted does not match with the correction sought.” ``` WP(C) NO.28453 OF 2023 3 ``` 2. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Sri.Nirmal S, learned Standing Counsel for the CBSE. In the nature of the direction I propose to pass, notice to the 3[rd] respondent is dispensed with. ``` ``` 3. The 1[st] respondent has not considered Ext.P1 application of the petitioner in accordance with the dictum laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Jigya Yadav v. CBSE [2021 (3) KLT 711 (SC)], particularly paragraphs 169 to 173, which read as follows: ``` ``` “169. Although we have discussed the broad issues canvassed before us, in the ultimate analysis the real dispute requiring resolution is about the nature of correction or change, as the case may be, permissible to be carried by the CBSE at the instance of the student including past student. As noted earlier, broadly, two situations would arise. 170. The first is where the incumbent wants “correction” in the certificate issued by the ``` WP(C) NO.28453 OF 2023 4 ``` CBSE to be made consistent with the particulars mentioned in the school records. As we have held there is no reason for the CBSE to turn down such request or attach any precondition except reasonable period of limitation and keeping in mind the period for which the CBSE has to maintain its record under the extant regulations. While doing so, it can certainly insist for compliance of other conditions by the incumbent, such as, to file sworn affidavit making necessary declaration and to indemnify the CBSE from any claim against it by third party because of such correction. The CBSE would be justified in insisting for surrender/return of the original certificate (or duplicate original certificate, as the case may be) issued by it for replacing it with thefresh certificate to be issued after carrying out necessary corrections with caption/annotation against the changes carried out and the date of such correction. It may retain the original entries as it is except in respect of correction of name effected in exercise of right to be forgotten. The fresh certificate may also contain disclaimer that the CBSE cannot be held responsible for the genuineness of the ``` WP(C) NO.28453 OF 2023 5 ``` school records produced by the incumbent in support of the request to record correction in the original CBSE certificate. The CBSE can also insist for reasonable prescribed fees to be paid by the incumbent in lieu of administrative expenses for issuing fresh certificate. At the same time, the CBSE cannot impose precondition of applying for correction consistent with the school records only before publication of results. Such a condition, as we have held, would be unreasonable and excessive. We repeat that if the application for recording correction is based on the school records as it obtained at the time of publication of results and issue of certificate by the CBSE, it will be open to CBSE to provide for reasonable limitation period within which the application for recording correction in certificate issued by it may be entertained by it. However, if the request for recording change is based on changed school records post the publication of results and issue of certificate by the CBSE, the candidate would be entitled to apply for recording such a change within the reasonable limitation period prescribed by the CBSE. In this situation, the candidate cannot claim ``` WP(C) NO.28453 OF 2023 6 ``` that she had no knowledge about the change recorded in the school records because such a change would occur obviously at her instance. If she makes such application for correction of the school records, she is expected to apply to the CBSE immediately after the school records are modified and which ought to be done within a reasonable time. Indeed, it would be open to the CBSE to reject the application in the event the period for preservation of official records under the extant regulations had expired and no record of the candidate concerned is traceable or can be reconstructed. In the case of subsequent amendment of school records, that may occur due to different reasons including because of choice exercised by the candidate regarding change of name. To put it differently, request for recording of correction in the certificate issued by the CBSE to bring it in line with the school records of the incumbent need not be limited to application made prior to publication of examination results of the CBSE. ``` ``` 171. As regards request for “change” of particulars in the certificate issued by the CBSE, it presupposes that the particulars ``` WP(C) NO.28453 OF 2023 7 ``` intended to be recorded in the CBSE certificate are not consistent with the school records. Such a request could be made in two different situations. The first is on the basis of public documents like Birth Certificate, Aadhaar Card/Election Card, etc. and to incorporate change in the CBSE certificate consistent therewith. The second possibility is when the request for change is due to the acquired name by choice at a later point of time. That change need not be backed by public documents pertaining to the candidate. ``` ``` (a) Reverting to the first category, as noted earlier, there is a legal presumption in relation to the public documents as envisaged in the 1872 Act. Such public documents, therefore, cannot be ignored by the CBSE. Taking note of those documents, the CBSE may entertain the request for recording change in the certificate issued by it. This, however, need not be unconditional, but subject to certain reasonable conditions to be fulfilled by the applicant as may be prescribed by the CBSE, such as, of furnishing sworn affidavit containing declaration and to indemnify the CBSE and upon payment of prescribed fees in ``` WP(C) NO.28453 OF 2023 8 ``` lieu of administrative expenses. The CBSE may also insist for issuing Public Notice and publication in the Official Gazette before recording the change in the fresh certificate to be issued by it upon surrender/return of the original certificate (or duplicate original certificate, as the case may be) by the applicant. The fresh certificate may contain disclaimer and caption/annotation against the original entry (except in respect of change of name effected in exercise of right to be forgotten) indicating the date on which change has been recorded and the basis thereof. In other words, the fresh certificate may retain original particulars while recordingthechangealongwith caption/annotation referred to above (except in respect of change of name effected in exercise of right to be forgotten). ``` ``` (b) However, in the latter situation where the change is to be effected on the basis of new acquired name without any supporting school record or public document, that request may be entertained upon insisting for prior permission/declaration by a Court of law in that regard and publication in the Official Gazette including surrender/return of original ``` WP(C) NO.28453 OF 2023 9 ``` certificate(orduplicateoriginal certificate, as the case may be) issued by CBSE and upon payment of prescribed fees. The fresh certificate as in other situations referred to above, retain the original entry (except in respect of change of name effected in exercise of right to be forgotten) and to insert caption/annotation indicating the date on which it has been recorded and other details including disclaimer of CBSE. This is so because the CBSE is not required to adjudicate nor has the mechanism to verify the correctness of the claim of the applicant. ``` ``` 172. In light of the above, in exercise of our plenary jurisdiction, we direct the CBSE to process the applications for correction or change, as the case may be, in the certificate issued by it in the respective cases under consideration. Even other pending applications and future applications for such request be processed on the same lines and in particular the conclusion and directions recorded hitherto in paragraphs 170 and 171, as may be applicable, until amendment of relevant Byelaws. Additionally, the CBSE shall take immediate steps to amend its relevant Byelaws so as to incorporate the stated mechanism for ``` WP(C) NO.28453 OF 2023 10 ``` recording correction or change, as the case may be, in the certificates already issued or to be issued by it. ``` ``` 173. Accordingly, we dispose of the cases before us with directions to the CBSE as noted in paragraphs 170 to 172 above. No order as to costs." ``` ``` 4. Accordingly, Ext.P5 order is set aside and the 1[st] respondent is directed to reconsider Ext.P1 application of the petitioner in accordance with the dictum laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Jigya Yadav[supra]. This shall be done within a period of one month from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this judgment. ``` ``` The writ petition is disposed of. ``` ``` Sd/- ``` ## **`MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN,`** ## **`JUDGE`** ``` sp/24/08/2023 ``` WP(C) NO.28453 OF 2023 11 ## **`APPENDIX`** ## **`PETITIONERS’ EXHIBITS:-`** ``` EXHIBIT P1COPYOFTHEAPPLICATIONDATED 14/03/2023. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P2COPY OF THE AADHAAR CARD OF THE PETITIONER. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P3COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION VIA EMAIL TO THE 1ST RESPONDENT. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P4 ``` ``` COPY OF THE ORDER OF THIS HON'BLE COURT IN WP(C) 24521/2023 DATED 21/08/2023. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P5 ``` ``` COPY OF THE REJECTION ORDER PASSED BY THE 1ST RESPONDENT DATED 01/06/2023. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P6 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P7 ``` ``` COPY OF THE ORDER OF THIS HON'BLE COURT IN WP(C) 29182/2021 DATED 08/04/2022. ``` ``` COPY OF THE ORDER OF THIS HON'BLE COURT IN WP(C) 2955/2023 DATED 13/04/2023. ```