Thiruvananthapuram: Existing official documents and materials bearing the name ‘Kerala’ will continue to be used even after the state's name is changed to ‘Keralam’, with the government directing departments and public institutions to avoid wasteful expenditure during the transition.
Chief Secretary Bishwanath Sinha, in a circular, directed government departments, public sector undertakings, boards, corporations, local self-government institutions and other organisations under government control to implement the name change without unnecessarily discarding existing materials.
Letterheads, files, seals, signboards won't change immediately
The circular said existing letterheads, envelopes, forms, registers, files, publications, and other printed stationery bearing 'Kerala' should be used until the existing stock is exhausted, with corrections made in ink wherever required.
It specifically said such materials should not be discarded or freshly printed solely because of the change in the state's name.
Existing official seals, rubber stamps and similar items can also continue to be used until they need to be replaced in the normal course. Where practical, necessary corrections can be made in ink instead of immediately preparing new seals.
The Chief Secretary also directed that existing signboards, office name boards, milestones, direction boards and other permanent or semi-permanent boards need not be replaced solely because of the name change.
Modifications only during repair or replacement
Where technically feasible, 'Kerala' on existing English and Malayalam signboards can be modified by adding the necessary letters in the respective languages.
Such modifications can be carried out when the boards are due for routine painting, repair or replacement, the circular said.
It also directed that furniture, vehicles, equipment, stationery, signboards, seals, boards, publications and other government property should not be replaced before the end of their usable life solely because of the change in the state's name.
However, replacements may be made in cases of administrative or functional necessity, with specific approval from the competent authority.
'Keralam' to be used in fresh stocks
All future printing, procurement and manufacture of stationery, forms, signboards, name boards and official seals should carry the revised name "Keralam", wherever applicable.
The circular further directed that government websites and other information technology-enabled systems should also incorporate the revised name without incurring additional financial liability. The Information Technology Department will take the necessary steps in this regard.
The Chief Secretary said the change should be implemented in a phased manner and without imposing a financial burden on the government. Department heads and heads of concerned institutions have been made responsible for ensuring strict compliance with the directions.
The circular said any proposal involving expenditure to replace existing materials solely because of the name change should be examined in accordance with the principle of financial economy and should not be approved unless there is a compelling administrative or functional requirement.
Parliament earlier this month passed the Bill to rename Kerala as Keralam, with the Rajya Sabha clearing the legislation through a voice vote. The Lok Sabha had also passed the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026.
The Kerala Assembly had passed a resolution in 2024 urging the Centre to bring legislation to change the state's name to Keralam.
Subsequently, the President referred a Bill to the state legislature for its views, following which the Assembly adopted a unanimous resolution supporting the proposed change.
