January 22, 2026

The Gazette of India Guide: How to Search Notifications & Change Your Name Legally

📜 Tool Guide: The Gazette of India (e-Gazette)

The Action Hub

Access the official journal of the Government of India.

  • Official Portal: egazette.nic.in
  • Name Change Authority: Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi.
  • Key Use Case: Official Name Change & Searching New Laws.
  • Motto: "Published by Authority."
⚠️ IMPORTANT: A law passed by Parliament is not valid until it is published here. A name change is not official for passports/visas until it appears here.

Introduction: The "Newspaper" of the State

(Why the Gazette Matters)

You might have heard the phrase "Gazetted Officer" or "Gazette Notification." But what is the Gazette?

The Gazette of India (Bharat Ka Rajpatra) is the official public journal of the Central Government. It is published weekly by the Department of Publication (under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs). Think of it as the government's own newspaper.

  • For the Government: It is the final step in law-making. If the Parliament passes a bill and the President signs it, it only becomes enforceable law on the day it is printed in the Gazette.
  • For the Citizen: It is the gold standard for personal identity. If you want to change your name from "Amit" to "Amitabh" due to astrology, marriage, or religion, your new name legally exists only after it is printed in the Gazette's "Part IV."

Since 2015, the government has stopped printing physical copies. The e-Gazette website is now the official repository, allowing anyone to download digital copies signed with a "Hash Value" for authenticity. This guide will teach you how to mine this website for information and how to navigate the bureaucratic maze of changing your name.

🔍 How to Search for a Law or Notification

Journalists and UPSC aspirants often struggle to find the original text of a new law (e.g., The Digital Data Protection Act). Google results are often cluttered with news articles. Here is how to find the original source.

Step-by-Step Search Guide:

  1. Visit: egazette.nic.in.
  2. Select "Search Gazette": You will see options to search by "Ministry," "Subject," or "Date."
  3. Know the Category:
    • Extraordinary Gazette: These are urgent notifications published daily (e.g., Demonetization announcement, Immediate Ban on Exports).
    • Weekly Gazette: Published every Saturday. Contains routine matters (e.g., Army Promotions, Name Changes).
  4. Use Keywords:
    • Example: To find the "Telecommunications Act," select Ministry of Law and Justice (as they publish the final Acts) and type "Telecommunications" in the subject bar.
  5. Download: The PDF you download will have a digital signature. This is valid in any court of law.

🛂 The Citizen's Guide: How to Change Your Name

This is the most common reason a common citizen interacts with the Gazette. Whether it's a spelling mistake in your 10th-grade mark sheet or a complete identity change, the process is strict but standardized.

Phase 1: The Preparatory Work (Before Online)

You cannot just log in and change your name. You need to create "Evidence" first.

  1. The Affidavit:
    • Go to a local Notary.
    • Create an affidavit on a Non-Judicial Stamp Paper (usually ₹10 or ₹20).
    • Text: "I, [Old Name], residing at [Address], have changed my name to [New Name] for all future purposes."
    • Get it notarized.
  2. The Newspaper Advertisement:
    • You must publish a "Name Change" ad in two newspapers.
    • One National English Daily (e.g., Times of India, Hindustan Times).
    • One Local Vernacular Daily (e.g., Dainik Jagran in Hindi, or a Marathi paper in Mumbai).
    • Keep the full original pages of the newspaper. Do not just cut the small strip; the Controller of Publications needs to see the full page with the date.

Phase 2: The Application (Department of Publication)

Once you have the Affidavit and Newspapers, you are ready to apply to the Central Government.

  1. The "Proforma": Download the official "Request Form" from deptpub.gov.in.
  2. The "CD" (Yes, Compact Disc):
    • This is the quirky part. The department still requires a CD containing your application text in MS Word format.
    • Why? They copy-paste this text directly into the Gazette to avoid typing errors.
    • Tip: Many cyber cafes near the "Civil Lines" office in Delhi specialize in making this specific CD.
  3. The Fee:
    • Pay the fee online via the Bharat Kosh portal (bharatkosh.gov.in).
    • Current Rates: Approx ₹1100 for Adults (Majors) and ₹1700 for Minors. (Check official site for latest rates).

Phase 3: Submission

  • By Post: Send the Affidavit, Original Newspapers, CD, Photos, ID Proof, and Payment Receipt via Speed Post to:
    • Controller of Publications, Department of Publication, Civil Lines, Delhi - 110054.
  • In-Person: You can visit the office in Civil Lines (near Vidhan Sabha Metro Station). There is a public counter open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Phase 4: The Result

  • Wait for 30-45 days.
  • Check egazette.nic.in every Saturday (Part IV section).
  • Search for your old name. Once you find it, download the PDF. This PDF is your legal proof. You can now use it to change your name on your Passport, Aadhaar, and PAN Card.

🏛️ Decoding the "Parts" of the Gazette

The Gazette is divided into confusing "Parts" and "Sections." Knowing this helps you filter your search.

  • Part I: Notifications regarding the President, Prime Minister, and Cabinet Ministers.
  • Part II (Most Important): Acts of Parliament, Ordinances, and Regulations.
    • Section 1: Acts (Laws).
    • Section 3: Rules (e.g., IT Rules, Passport Rules).
  • Part III: Notifications by High Courts, UPSC, Patent Office, etc.
  • Part IV: Advertisements by Private Individuals (This is where Name Changes are published).

Your toolkit for official documentation:

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Is the e-Gazette valid for Passport application?

Yes. The Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) accepts the printout of the e-Gazette notification. You do not need a physically stamped copy anymore, as the digital signature on the PDF is legally binding under the IT Act.

Q2. Can I change my name online without sending physical documents?

No. While the payment and download are online, the Department of Publication currently requires the physical submission (via post or person) of the original affidavit and newspapers to verify authenticity.

Q3. What is the difference between "Gazette of India" and "State Gazette"?

  • Gazette of India: Published by the Central Govt. Valid for Central documents (Passport, PAN, UPSC).
  • State Gazette: Published by State Govts (e.g., UP Gazette, Maharashtra Gazette). Valid for state subjects (Land records, Ration cards).
  • Tip: For a Passport, the Central Gazette is preferred and universally accepted.

Q4. Why do I need to submit a CD?

It is an outdated but mandatory requirement. The department uses the file in the CD to print your name exactly as you typed it, reducing the chance of a clerk making a typo during data entry.

Q5. How long is the Gazette notification valid?

Lifetime. Once published, it is a permanent record.

Stay informed with Sansad Online. Whether you are tracing a new law or forging a new identity, the Gazette is where it becomes official.