Keralam Chief Secretary Bishwanath Sinha on Saturday (August 29, 2026) directed government departments and agencies to implement the State’s official name change from ‘Kerala’ to ‘Keralam’ on printed stationery, signages and boards in a phased manner and without causing “additional financial burden” to the government.

Departments and institutions have been expressly asked not to discard stationery in stock such as letterheads, covers, forms and registers merely on account of the change in name. Until stocks run out, they can be used by making a correction with ink, an August 29 circular issued by Mr. Sinha regarding the name change in government offices and public institutions said.

Mr. Sinha’s circular comes in response to the Union Home Ministry formally notifying ‘Keralam’ as the new name for the State effective August 25. Official seals, insignias, rubber stamps and allied office tools should be used until a situation arises where they would ordinarily need to be changed.

Sign boards, milestones, office name boards or other permanent or semi-permanent boards need not be changed immediately. Wherever possible, the old State name ‘Kerala’ can be modified to ‘Keralam’ on both English and Malayalam signages. All new stationery, forms, registers name boards and official seals should reflect the name change from ‘Kerala’ to ‘Keralam,’ the circular said.

Mr. Sinha told the name change is not mandatory for companies such as the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) or easily identifiable brands that have ‘Kerala’ in their names.