Modi govt. empowered minorities through welfare: BJP State chief

On August 29, 2026, the Chief Secretary of Kerala, Bishwanath Sinha, issued a directive to government departments and agencies. The order called for a phased implementation of the State's official name change from 'Kerala' to 'Keralam' on printed materials, signage, and boards, while ensuring the government's financial burden was not exacerbated.

Sinha's circular provided specific instructions to departments and institutions, stating they should not discard existing stationery, such as letterheads, covers, forms, and registers, simply because of the name change. These items could be corrected with ink if necessary. The official seals, insignias, rubber stamps, and related office tools were to be used until their need for replacement became unavoidable.

Signboards, milestones, office name boards, and other permanent or semi-permanent boards were not required to be altered immediately. Where feasible, the existing 'Kerala' name could be modified to 'Keralam' on both English and Malayalam signage. New stationery, forms, registers, name boards, and official seals were to reflect the name change from 'Kerala' to 'Keralam.'

Sinha indicated to The Hindu that the name change was not obligatory for entities like the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) or well-known brands that included 'Kerala' in their names.