No wasteful spending for 'Keralam' rename, Kerala govt tells departments

The Kerala government has told its departments and public institutions to avoid wasteful spending while implementing the change in the state's name from Kerala to Keralam. A circular issued by Chief Secretary Bishwanath Sinha said the change must be carried out in a phased manner and without putting any financial burden on the government.

The directions apply to government departments, public sector undertakings, boards, corporations, local self-government institutions and other organisations under government control. They have been asked not to discard existing materials or order fresh printing solely because of the change in the state's name.

According to the circular, existing letterheads, envelopes, forms, registers, files, publications and other printed stationery bearing "Kerala" should continue to be used until current stocks are exhausted. Where required, corrections may be made in ink. It said such materials should not be thrown away or reprinted only because of the name change.

Existing official seals, rubber stamps and similar items can also continue to be used until they need replacement in the normal course. Where practical, necessary corrections can be made in ink instead of preparing new seals immediately. The circular also said existing signboards, office name boards, milestones, direction boards and other permanent or semi-permanent boards need not be replaced solely because of the change.

Where technically feasible, "Kerala" on English and Malayalam signboards can be changed by adding the necessary letters in the respective languages. Such changes can be made when the boards are due for routine painting, repair or replacement.

It further said furniture, vehicles, equipment, stationery, signboards, seals, boards, publications and other government property should not be replaced before the end of their usable life only because of the change in the state's name. Replacements may be made only in cases of administrative or functional necessity, with specific approval from the competent authority.

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 also directed that government websites and other information technology-enabled systems should incorporate the revised name without incurring financial liability, with the Information Technology Department taking the necessary steps. Heads of departments and institutions have been made responsible for strict compliance.

It added that any proposal involving expenditure to replace existing materials solely because of the name change should be examined on the principle of financial economy and should not be approved unless there is a compelling administrative or functional requirement.

Earlier this month, Parliament passed the Bill to rename Kerala as Keralam, with the Rajya Sabha clearing the legislation through a voice vote after the Lok Sabha had passed the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026.

The Kerala Assembly had passed a resolution in 2024 urging the Centre to bring the legislation, and later adopted a unanimous resolution agreeing with the Bill after the President referred it to the state legislature for its views.