BRICS, Bharat, and Billions: Unpacking the Cost of India's Potential Name Change
Speculation is rife this month after BRICS member India considered renaming the country to ‘Bharat’. The development comes amid fervent discussions about national identity and historical narratives. But one question looms large: how much would it actually cost? Social media in India is abuzz with how much the name change will cost.
Estimates vary wildly, and the numbers being thrown around are significant. Let's delve into the figures and the methodologies behind them. One frequently cited model comes from 11 de sept. de 2025 Using the same formula, for a country the size of India, the cost comes to be about Rs 14,000 crore ($172m; £136m), first reported by Outlook Business using Mr Olivier, an intellectual property lawyer who analyzed the cost of Swaziland's name change to Eswatini in 6 de sept. de 2025. His approach considers the expenses associated with rebranding across various sectors.
7 de sept. de 2025 By Olivier's model, India will have to pay Rs 14,034 crore to rename itself to Bharat. This figure has gained traction, but it's crucial to understand its limitations. 7 de sept. de 2025 Taking India’s 2025 fiscal revenue receipts (Rs 23.84 lakh crore) into consideration, the Outlook report said that if the Oliver formula is applied, then the cost of rebranding extends far beyond simply updating documents.
Another, far more substantial estimate emerges when considering the potential need to update official identification documents. By one estimate, the government would have to spend ₹66.85 per person on average to issue new identity documents, totaling roughly ₹9.4 trillion ($116 billion), suggesting a much greater financial undertaking. This expense highlights the sheer scale of a nationwide renaming process in a country as populous as India. brics cost 1 68 billion india to rename bharat implications of a name change, it's clear that even seemingly simple alterations have profound economic repercussions.
Shashi Tharoor, a Senior Congress leader, pointed out that India has an incalculable brand value. The cost of renaming goes beyond direct expenses. A comprehensive analysis must also include potential disruptions to businesses, legal complexities, and the intangible impact on India's global image and reputation.
Ultimately, the true cost remains uncertain. 6 de sept. de 2025 Speculations are rife that the Narendra Modi-led government might change the name of India to 'Bharat' in a special Parliament session later this month. However, until an official decision is made and a detailed plan is unveiled, these figures serve as important benchmarks for understanding the potential financial and logistical challenges involved.
While some estimates suggest a relatively manageable cost in the hundreds of millions of dollars, others paint a picture of a multi-billion dollar endeavor. As the debate continues, it's crucial to approach these figures with a critical eye, recognizing the complexities and uncertainties inherent in such a monumental undertaking.