Courts Can't Direct Education Board To Alter Date Of Birth In School Records, Student Must First Approach Board: Rajasthan High Court
The Rajasthan High Court has held that courts cannot direct educational boards to alter the date of birth recorded in school certificates, observing that such requests must first be examined by the concerned Board itself. [2026 LiveLaw (Raj) 278]Setting aside a single judge's order directing the Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan, to change a student's date of birth in her Class...
The Rajasthan High Court has held that courts cannot direct educational boards to alter the date of birth recorded in school certificates, observing that such requests must first be examined by the concerned Board itself. [2026 LiveLaw (Raj) 278]
Setting aside a single judge's order directing the Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan, to change a student's date of birth in her Class X certificate, the Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Maneesh Sharma clarified that an aggrieved person may approach the civil court if dissatisfied with the Board's decision.
The Court was hearing a special appeal filed by the Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan, against the single judge's order directing it to change the respondent's date of birth in her Class X certificate.
The Board argued that the directions were contrary to the Supreme Court's decision in Jigya Yadav v. Central Board of Secondary Education, which mandates that representations seeking correction of date of birth must first be considered by the Board itself.
Faced with this objection, counsel for the respondent submitted that she may be permitted to furnish the relevant supporting documents and that the Board be directed to examine her request in accordance with law.
Accepting the Board's contention, the Division Bench observed:
"We are in agreement with the counsel for appellant and hold that this Court would not be authorized for change the date of birth, accordingly, the judgment passed by learned Single Judge, wherein directions were issued to change the date of birth is set aside."
The Court, however, directed the Board to examine the respondent's documents and take a decision on her request for correction of date of birth. It further held that if the Board concludes that no change is warranted, it must pass a reasoned and speaking order, leaving the respondent at liberty to pursue appropriate remedies before the civil court.
Title: Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan v Annu
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Raj) 278