Onlykashmir.in News Desk
In line with a notification issued by the Central Government, the Raj Bhavan in Jammu and Kashmir has officially been renamed as Lok Bhavan. The modification was announced through an order issued by Dr Mandeep K Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, following a communication from the Ministry of Home Affairs dated November 25, 2025.
According to the order, all official references to the institution formerly known as Raj Bhavan will now use the name Lok Bhavan.
A similar change was made two days earlier in Ladakh, where Raj Niwas was renamed Lok Niwas. Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta described the renaming as a historic moment, stating that it reflects a strong commitment to people-centric governance and inclusive development.
These changes follow a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs instructing states and Union Territories to replace colonial-era nomenclature associated with the offices of Governors and Lieutenant Governors.
Under the directive, the residences and offices of Governors are to be called Lok Bhavan, while those of Lieutenant Governors will be known as Lok Niwas. Several states have already acted on the MHA’s advisory and updated their official terminology.
