In a major step aimed at protecting student identity and self-esteem, the Rajasthan government has launched the “Sarthak Naam Abhiyan”, a campaign that allows students to replace unusual, awkward, or derogatory names, not just at admission, but even during their school term.

Names like “Sheru”, “Shaitan”, and other socially uncomfortable names often recorded in school registers could soon be phased out as the state moves to encourage more meaningful and respectful naming practices.

The initiative is designed to address growing concerns that children with such names often face teasing, embarrassment, and reduced confidence in school environments.

School Education Minister Madan Dilawar explained the impact clearly, saying, “As children grow older, such names sometimes lead to embarrassment and may even affect their self-esteem,” School Education Minister Madan Dilawar told reporters on Tuesday, adding that names play an important role in shaping a child's identity and personality.

He added that many naming decisions are made without understanding long-term consequences.

“Sometimes parents choose names without being aware of their meanings or for social reasons, but later children may develop a sense of inferiority because of them,” the minister said.

What makes this initiative stand out is its flexibility.

According to officials, around 2,000–3,000 students’ names have already been identified across government and private schools as needing correction. To support the transition, the education department has also prepared a list of nearly 3,000 alternative meaningful names, 1,541 for girls and 1,409 for boys, along with meanings.

Parents of newly admitted students will be able to choose names from this list at the time of admission. Importantly, existing students can also apply for name changes during the school term, following prescribed procedures.

Schools have been instructed to sensitively handle the process and engage parents through parent-teacher meetings and School Management Committees.

The campaign also aims to eliminate caste-based or offensive terms from official records.

“Words that have historically been used in a derogatory manner should not be recorded. Respectful alternatives must be adopted,” the minister said.

Senior officials will monitor implementation and review progress periodically to ensure compliance across schools.

With PTI inputs