Process to Rename Places in India [UPSC Notes]

The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, in Feb 2023, confirmed that Osmanabad city will be called Dharashiv and Aurangabad city will be renamed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. The Ministry of Home Affairs has approved it after one year. In this context, it is important to know what is the process for changing the names of places in India, for the IAS exam polity segment.

Renaming of Aurangabad & Osmanabad in Maharashtra

The Ministry of Home Affairs informed that it has no objection to renaming the cities. The initial proposal was made in a cabinet meeting in June 2022.

• On July 16, 2022, a Government Resolution was passed by the two-member cabinet, for renaming Aurangabad and Osmanabad as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Dharashiv.

Procedure for Renaming Cities in India

• At the state level: The power to rename a city is given to the State Legislators.
  • It starts with a request by means of a resolution by any Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) which proposes to rename any specific street or city.
  • Then the resolution is discussed and deliberated upon.
  • After this, voting on the validity of the resolution is done. If there are majority votes in favour of the resolution, the said resolution shall be declared passed. If the majority of votes for a resolution are not achieved, the resolution shall fail. The majority used is a simple majority.
  • Based on the majority view the State Legislation will make the necessary changes in the name of the state or city.
• At the central level: The central government receives the proposals of the state and they will be scrutinized by the central Home Ministry based on the existing guidelines in consultations with the agencies concerned.
  • The Ministry approves the proposal after taking no objections from the Department of Posts and Survey of India and the Ministry of Railways, which confirms that there is no such village, town or city in their records with a name similar to the proposed one.
  • Then an executive order is passed on the renaming of cities.

Process to rename cities in India:- Download PDF Here