When someone in Maharashtra changes their name, date of birth or religion, banks, the passport office, schools and employers often ask for a copy of the Maharashtra Government Gazette notification. That notification is published by DGPS. This guide explains what DGPS is, what “approved by DGPS” means, and how the e-Gazette process works from start to finish.
Key facts
- DGPS full form
- Directorate of Government Printing, Stationery and Publications, Government of Maharashtra
- Where
- Online, through the DGPS e-Gazette service (Part II)
- Covers
- Change of name, date of birth, religion and miscellaneous notices
- Time
- The department’s stated service period is 15 days; there is no urgent option
- Documents
- Affidavit (old name, new name, reason), ID proof, Maharashtra address proof, and a document explaining the change
- What it proves
- That the change was made public; Aadhaar, PAN, passport and bank records must still be updated separately
- “Approved by DGPS”
- Your application has been accepted for publication; the proof is the published gazette PDF. Check status and download
What does DGPS stand for?
DGPS is the Directorate of Government Printing, Stationery and Publications, Government of Maharashtra. Among other things, it publishes the Maharashtra Government Gazette, the State’s official record of notifications. Individuals use Part II of the Gazette to publish a change of name, date of birth or religion.
What does “Gazette approved by DGPS” mean?
It means the Directorate has accepted your application for publication in the official Maharashtra Government Gazette. The proof you will use is the published notification itself. The published Gazette carries an issue date and number, and that copy is what you show to other authorities as public proof of the change. It does not by itself change any other record (see below). To check your status and download the PDF, see DGPS gazette status and download.
State Gazette or Gazette of India?
There are two gazettes. The Maharashtra Government Gazette (through DGPS) is used by residents of Maharashtra. The Gazette of India is published by the central Department of Publication and is used in some situations, for example by some applicants outside the State or where a particular authority insists on it. Check which one the authority you will be updating (passport, employer, university) accepts before applying.
The services available in Part II
- Change of name, including change of surname
- Change of date of birth or age
- Change of religion
- Miscellaneous notifications
Step by step
- Prepare an affidavit stating the old name, the new name and the reason for the change, sworn before a notary or other competent authority. For a date of birth or religion change, the affidavit states that change instead.
- Collect the supporting documents: identity proof, Maharashtra address proof, and any document explaining the change, such as a marriage certificate for a change of surname after marriage, or a divorce decree or court order where relevant.
- Prepare the photograph in the size and file format the e-Gazette service specifies.
- Apply online through the DGPS e-Gazette service, choosing the correct Part II category, uploading the documents and paying the fee shown at the time of application.
- Check before you submit. The application cannot be edited after submission. A spelling error usually means a fresh application.
- Wait for publication. The department states a 15-day service period for the Part II service, and there is no urgent or instant option.
- Download the published Gazette and keep it with the affidavit.
- Update your other records one by one, using the Gazette as proof.
What publication does not do
A Gazette notification is proof that the change was made public. It does not update Aadhaar, PAN, passport, bank, school, university, voter ID or property records. Each of those is updated separately with its own authority, which will usually ask for the Gazette copy and sometimes the affidavit. Some authorities also ask for a newspaper notice of the change, so check their requirements before applying, and keep a copy if you publish one.
Common mistakes
- Spelling the new name differently in the affidavit, the application and later records
- Choosing the wrong Part II category (for example, filing a surname change on marriage as “miscellaneous”)
- Uploading a photograph in the wrong size or format
- For a minor, not having the parent or guardian sign the application
- Assuming the Gazette has already updated Aadhaar or the passport
Frequently asked questions
What is the full form of DGPS?
Directorate of Government Printing, Stationery and Publications, Maharashtra.
How long does a Maharashtra Gazette name change take?
The department’s stated period is 15 days for the Part II service. Preparing the affidavit and documents correctly beforehand is what avoids delay.
Is a newspaper advertisement required?
Requirements are set by the e-Gazette service and by the authorities you later update, and they differ. Check the current e-Gazette instructions and ask the authority you will be updating whether it needs a newspaper notice.
Can a married woman change her surname?
Yes, usually with the marriage certificate as the supporting document. See marriage registration if the marriage is not yet registered.
Can I correct an error after the application is submitted?
No. The application cannot be edited after submission, so a fresh application is usually needed.
Consultations are by appointment. To fix a time, telephone +91 99301 50560 or send a message on WhatsApp.
This guide describes general procedure as understood in October 2026. It is not legal advice; forms, portals and fees change, so confirm current requirements with the office concerned before applying.
Related
- Name change in the Maharashtra Gazette: documents and assistance
- Affidavit drafting
- Document checklist builder
Related guides
- Changing a Minor Child’s Name in the Gazette
- Changing Your Date of Birth in Maharashtra
- Religion Change After the Freedom of Religion Act, 2026
- DGPS Gazette Status and PDF Download: What “Approved by DGPS” Means
- Maharashtra Gazette Name Change: Fees, Time and Rejection Reasons
- Gazette Office in Mumbai (DGPS, Charni Road)
- After the Gazette: Updating Aadhaar, PAN, Passport and Bank Records
- Name Change After Marriage: Is a Gazette Needed?