Srijani, Bengal's ISC Topper, Drops Surname To Defy Caste And Gender Barriers

ISC Topper 2025: In a strong affirmation against societal distinctions, Kolkata's 17-year-old Srijani has been in the news for national attention not just because of her educational achievement—having obtained a flawless 400/400 in the 2025 ISC exams—but also because she has chosen to give up her surname, standing up for a society free of caste, creed, and gender.

A student at The Future Foundation School, Srijani chose to register for her board exams under her first name only, something she was prompted to do by her family and school. She believes that surnames serve to perpetuate social hierarchies and divisions.

Srijani told PTI on Saturday, "As an individual, it was my decision — supported by my parents and sister. I believe in a society rising above divisions in caste, gender and religion, and beyond economic status. For me, a surname doesn’t matter. I’ve always been known by my first name to my friends and loved ones. Why carry the baggage of a surname? I’m lucky to have the full support of my family."

Srijani's parents, both academics, have held egalitarian values for a long time. Her father, Debashis Goswami, who is a professor at the Indian Statistical Institute and a Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardee, and her mother, Gopa Mukherjee, an assistant professor at Gurudas College, decided not to add surnames to their daughters' birth certificates, hoping for a society bereft of patriarchal and caste-based biases.

In addition to studies, Srijani is also socially engaged. She was with the movement 'Women Reclaim the Night', urging women's safety after the tragic incident at RG Kar Medical College. Despite her hectic schedule of studies, she was able to collaborate with fellow citizens in pursuing justice.

Looking forward, Srijani dreams of studying research in pure sciences and hopes to do a course in physics or mathematics at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru. Her path illustrates how intellectual excellence can be smoothly integrated with social justice commitment subverting the conventional norms and shaping a more equitable future.