**Policy Summary: Proposed Change in Name of Madras High Court**
This document summarizes the status of a proposal to change the name of the Madras High Court to Chennai High Court. The proposal originated following the enactment of the City of Madras Alteration of Name Act, 1996, which renamed the city to Chennai. In 1997, the Government of Tamil Nadu formally proposed the name change, stating that the Madras High Court had no objection.
The High Courts Alteration of Names Bill, 2016, which included a provision to change the name of the High Court of Judicature of Madras to Chennai High Court, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on July 19, 2016. Subsequently, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly passed a resolution to rename the High Court of Madras as the High Court of Tamil Nadu.
However, a full court meeting of the Madras High Court on December 7, 2019, resolved that it would not be appropriate to alter the name of the High Court. Furthermore, the High Courts Alteration of Names Bill, 2016, lapsed due to the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha.
As of August 1, 2025, due to the difference of opinion between the State Government of Tamil Nadu and the Madras High Court, there is no complete proposal to change the name of the Madras High Court under consideration.
Key Entities Referenced
Madras High Court: A High Court in India, formerly known as the High Court of Judicature at Madras.
Chennai High Court: The proposed new name for the Madras High Court.
DR. GANAPATHY RAJKUMAR P: Member of Parliament who raised the question regarding the change in name of Madras High Court.
SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL: Minister of State Independent Charge of the Ministry of Law and Justice; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
City of Madras Alteration of Name Act, 1996: The act that changed the name of the city of Madras to Chennai.
Government of Tamil Nadu: The state government that proposed changing the name of the Madras High Court to Chennai High Court.
High Court Alteration of Names Bill, 2016: A bill introduced in Lok Sabha to change the name of the High Court of Judicature of Madras to Chennai High Court.
Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly: The legislative assembly of Tamil Nadu, which passed a resolution to rename the High Court of Madras as High Court of Tamil Nadu.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. *188
TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 01st AUGUST, 2025
Change in name of Madras High Court
*188. DR. GANAPATHY RAJKUMAR P:
Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government proposes/has any proposal to change the name of
Madras High Court to Chennai High Court;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY
OF LAW AND JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS.
(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)
(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (c) OF LOK
SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *188 FOR ANSWER ON 01.08.2025
REGARDING “CHANGE IN NAME OF MADRAS HIGH COURT”.
(a) to (c): The name of the city of Madras was changed to Chennai, following
the enactment of the City of Madras (Alteration of Name) Act, 1996.
Subsequently in 1997, a proposal was received from the Government of Tamil
Nadu for changing the name of the Madras High Court to Chennai High Court.
The Government of Tamil Nadu also conveyed that the Madras High Court has
no objection to the proposal.
The High Court (Alteration of Names) Bill, 2016 was introduced in Lok
Sabha on 19.07.2016 inter-alia, to change the name of High Court of Judicature
of Madras to Chennai High Court.
Immediately, after the introduction of the Bill in Lok Sabha, the then
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu informed that Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
unanimously passed a Resolution to rename the High Court of Madras as High
Court of Tamil Nadu. However, when this was placed before the full Court
meeting of the Madras High Court on 07.12.2019, the Court resolved that it
would not be appropriate to alter the name of the High Court.
Meanwhile, the High Courts (Alteration of Names) Bill, 2016 lapsed due
to dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha.
In view of difference of opinion between the State Government of Tamil
Nadu and Madras High Court on the matter, as on date there is no complete
proposal to change the name of the Madras High Court.
****