The official residence and secretariat of the Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, long known as Raj Niwas, has been formally renamed as Lok Niwas following approval accorded at the level of the Union Territory administration. The renaming has been cleared in pursuance of a communication issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and will apply to all official uses with immediate effect.
The decision follows a reference letter issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (CS Division), Government of India, dated November 25, 2025. Acting on this communication, approval was accorded for the change in name for all official purposes, marking a symbolic shift in nomenclature associated with the highest constitutional office in the islands’ administration.
According to the notification issued from Sri Vijaya Puram on December 3, the name “Raj Niwas” will now stand replaced by “Lok Niwas” in all official communications issued by the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat. This includes references in correspondence, documents and records that formally identify the office and residence of the Lieutenant Governor.
The scope of the renaming extends beyond paperwork. The administration has indicated that the revised name will be incorporated across all official platforms and materials. This includes the official website of the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat, office stationery, official seals and stamps, as well as other miscellaneous items where the earlier name was in use. Signboards and signages bearing the name Raj Niwas are also to be updated to reflect the new nomenclature.
Officials familiar with the process stated that such changes typically require coordinated action across multiple departments to ensure uniformity and avoid discrepancies in official references. The use of a single, updated name across digital, physical and administrative formats is intended to ensure clarity and consistency in official identification.
The shift from “Raj” to “Lok” reflects a broader administrative emphasis on public-oriented governance terminology that has been seen in other parts of the country as well. The renaming is, however, positioned as an administrative decision taken in accordance with directions from the competent authority at the central level.
Raj Niwas has historically functioned as both the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor and the seat of the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat, playing a central role in the governance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The change in name does not alter its constitutional status or administrative functions, which will continue as before under the new designation.
The administration has underscored that the change is strictly nomenclatural and procedural in nature. All existing roles, responsibilities and functions associated with the office remain unchanged, with the renaming intended to be reflected purely in form and reference.
With the approval now accorded, departments and offices under the Andaman and Nicobar Administration are expected to adopt the new name in their communications and records. The transition to “Lok Niwas” is to be completed across all official interfaces to ensure that the updated name is uniformly used in dealings involving the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat.
