Keerthi Cherukuri 26 May 2025

Absence of father's name in certificates

Hi,

Is it mandatory to include father's name in CBSE 10th or 12th certificates??

I am a single divorced mother with a son who is living with me. I got seperated from my ex-husband in 2019, filed a divorce case in 2021 and got my divorce in 2024. My son is always with me, his father did not ask for child custody or visiting rights and I did not claim for any child maintenance.

All my son's school records have my name (mother's name) as guardian and I did not mention his father's name anywhere in the certificates except in birth certificate and passport (both of these were taken before our seperation). My son has his father's surname though. I have my maiden surname.

My son has completed his 10th grade and his 10th pass certificate has only my name and father's name is left blank.

Will this pose any problem in future while applying for college admissions, entrance exams etc??

Please reply. Thank you

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4 Replies

T. Kalaiselvan, Advocate (Advocate) 27 May 2025

It is not mandatory to include the father's name on a 10th standard certificate if the child is in the full custody of the divorced mother.

If the mother has legal custody and is the sole parent, she can provide her own name as the parent's name on the registration form.

Some educational boards and schools may require the father's name, but they can be instructed that it is not mandatory if the mother has full custody and is the sole parent.

Almost all schools ask for 'father's name' in the admission form, but the education department has clarified that it is not mandatory if the same has been removed from official identity documents of the child.

Dr. J C Vashista (Advocate ) 27 May 2025

Although it is compulsory (not mandatory) to mention father's name in all testimonials yet only mother's name shall also do.

kavksatyanarayana (subregistrar/supdt.(retired)) 27 May 2025

Yes. It is not mandatory to include the father's name in school records, and the mother's name can be considered.

MPS RAMANI 27 May 2025

Satyakama was known only by his mother's name Jabala. The Upanishads authored by him are known as Jabalopanishads. They are as much respected as the other Upanishads.