Governor’s House gets a new name all over India, know the real reason behind the nationwide change. india news

During British rule, the official residences of governors were known as Governor’s House.

It is believed that after independence, the first Governor-General of India, C Rajagopalachari, changed its name to Raj Bhavan. However, no formal document, government notification or gazette record has been found confirming this change. Over time, the term Raj Bhavan became acceptable usage in all states.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recommended renaming Raj Bhavan to Lok Bhavan, saying the old title reflected colonial associations. The ministry says the new name should reflect openness and a more public-centric ethos.

On 25 November 2025, the Home Ministry wrote to all state governors and lieutenant governors of union territories asking them to adopt the new title. Governors are implementing the instructions through state notifications.

States which have already adopted the name Lok Bhawan

According to reports, eight states have already done the renaming:

• West Bengal (Kolkata and Darjeeling Raj Bhavan)
• Tamil Nadu
• Kerala
• Assam
• Uttarakhand (Dehradun and Nainital)
• Odisha
• Gujarat
• Tripura

The residence of the Lieutenant Governor in Ladakh has been renamed as Lok Niwas. More states and union territories are currently undergoing the transition process.

Who has the right to change the name?

State governments or state legislatures do not have the power to change the name of Raj Bhavans.

The Governor acts on the instructions of the Central Government. The Home Ministry is the decision-making authority, as Raj Bhavans are considered central government property and not state property. Since this is an administrative change and not a constitutional amendment, Parliament’s approval is not required.

Do these names have any constitutional basis?

The Constitution only recognizes the official residence of the Governor as a functional place and does not confer on it a formal title like Raj Bhavan. This means that the recent decision to rename these residences does not in any way alter the role or authority of the Governor. The functions, constitutional responsibilities and the way the office is referred to in English remain exactly the same. This change applies only to the name of the building, not its location.

Do states require legislative approval?

State law is not involved in changing the name of Raj Bhavan. It is implemented through administrative notifications issued by the Governor under the guidance of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

What happens if a state does not enforce the directive?

If a Governor chooses not to issue a name change notification, the Union Home Ministry may step in to seek clarification, press for compliance or recommend administrative action. Since Governors are appointed by the President on the advice of the Central Government, they are expected to carry out such instructions in the ordinary course of administration. So far, no governor has opposed or rejected the directive, which is why its implementation in the states has been smooth.

Why is this not considered like changing the name of a state?

Changing the name of a state or union territory requires constitutional procedures, including the approval of Parliament.

Renaming of royal palaces is considered a minor administrative change and hence it follows a simple procedure.

What will change on the ground?

The new name Lok Bhawan will now be displayed at all official venues, including signboards and plaques, government stationery, websites, communication materials, visiting cards and even emblems or insignia wherever relevant. The government expects that the cost of this change will be minimal, which will be absorbed into regular administrative expenses. Many state palaces, including those in Karnataka, already serve as heritage and public-facing venues, meaning the updated name will simply translate into their existing civic identities.

For example, the Karnataka Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru is a famous historical site, acclaimed for its colonial-era architecture, expansive gardens, guided tours offered on select days, and public events held within its grounds. Similarly, Raj Bhavans in Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai and other state capitals attract tourists, historians and architecture enthusiasts, making the renaming a change in nomenclature rather than function.