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13 August 2026

Caste appellations in road naming

The topic involves a High Court intervention regarding the constitutional goal of a casteless society and the implementation of administrative directives, which is a relevant governance and social justice issue for GS1 and GS2.

1 min read 2 questions 1 prelims

Notes

  • Madras High Court expressed concern over the continued use of caste-based appellations in street and road names in Tamil Nadu.
  • The issue persists despite Government Orders (G.O.) issued as early as 1978 and subsequent judicial directions in 2018 requiring the removal of such names.
  • Caste-based naming leads to the identification of residents by caste in official documentation, which contradicts the constitutional goal of a casteless society.
  • Recent judicial efforts include orders to remove caste names from schools and colleges in Tamil Nadu.
  • The Tamil Nadu government has taken steps to rename the 'Adi Dravidar Welfare Department' to 'Social Justice Department' to avoid caste references.
  • The High Court has initiated a suo motu case to ensure the implementation of previous directives regarding the removal of caste appellations from public spaces.

Questions

  1. The persistence of caste-based nomenclature in public infrastructure poses a challenge to the constitutional vision of a casteless society. Discuss the role of the judiciary in ensuring the removal of such identifiers from public records and spaces. 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. Examine the significance of administrative and judicial interventions in promoting social justice and equality in India. How do symbolic changes in nomenclature, such as renaming government departments and public spaces, contribute to the broader objective of social integration and the eradication of caste-based discrimination? 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. Which of the following constitutional objectives is primarily cited by the judiciary when ordering the removal of caste-based appellations from public spaces?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-08-13/caste-appellations-in-road-naming