In a local survey carried out in Maharashtra, it has been found that transgender people in Maharashtra has been going for changing their names on a large scale. And this has become more intense since the order of Bombay HC to introduce a separate column for transgender on name change application form. In addition to this, the ease of the process of changing names due to the increasing digitization has also helped transgender people to choose their new names in order to live their lives with a new identity.
It has been found in a survey that transgender people in Maharashtra are filling their name change application form in great numbers. This has led to an increase in the number of online platforms that facilitate the change of name by entering it into the Gazette. The ease of process for name change in the Gazette has made it possible for everyone to choose their new identity without much difficulty.
Despite the increased application fee, there is a steep increase in the number of transgender applicants appearing for changing their names. Over the last five years, the fee for name change application in Maharashtra has increased by approximately five times. This has led to the accumulation of a huge amount of money in the pocket of the Maharashtra government but it has put a burden on a common man.
On hearing the petition filed by a transgender to change its name, Bombay HC instructed Maharashtra state government to include a separate column for transgender in the official gazette to help them change their name with ease.
