Kerala

Capital: Thiruvananthapuram

Leadership data compiled via web research in July 2026 — may not reflect the very latest reshuffles or appointments.

Briefing

Kerala occupies a narrow strip of India's southwestern coast, known for its backwaters, hill-station tea and spice plantations, and near-universal literacy. Its economy relies significantly on remittances from a large expatriate workforce, tourism, and traditional practices such as Ayurveda and Kathakali dance-drama. Following the 2026 assembly election, the state saw a change of government from the outgoing Left Democratic Front to the United Democratic Front.

State Identity & Symbols

Kerala state emblem

State Emblem

A derivative of the royal coat of arms of the Kingdom of Travancore, depicting two elephants guarding a conch (Shanku) associated with Sree Padmanabha, crested by the Lion Capital of Ashoka.

Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus)

State Animal

Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus)

Great hornbill (Buceros bicornis)

State Bird

Great hornbill (Buceros bicornis)

Golden shower tree / Kanikonna (Cassia fistula)

State Flower

Golden shower tree / Kanikonna (Cassia fistula)

Images via Wikimedia Commons. Emblem: Government of Kerala (Public domain). Animal: Yathin S Krishnappa (CC BY-SA 3.0). Bird: Shantanu Kuveskar (CC BY-SA 4.0). Flower: Banswalhemant (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Population

2011 Census figures.

Total Population

33,406,061

Male Population

16,027,412

Female Population

17,378,649

Sex Ratio

1084 females per 1000 males

Districts

Hover over a district to see its name.

Thiruvananthapuram (capital district)

District boundaries adapted from udit-001/india-maps-data, based on Census of India 2011 district geometries.

Government

Governor

Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar

Chief Minister

V. D. Satheesan

Council of Ministers

Name Rank Portfolio
Ramesh Chennithala Cabinet Minister Home, Vigilance and Coir
K. Muraleedharan Cabinet Minister Health and Family Welfare, and Devaswom
Sunny Joseph Cabinet Minister Electricity, Environment and Parliamentary Affairs
Shibu Baby John Cabinet Minister Forests and Wild Life, and Skill Development
Mons Joseph Cabinet Minister Water Resources and Housing
Anoop Jacob Cabinet Minister Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs
P. K. Kunhalikutty Cabinet Minister Industries and Information Technology
C. P. John Cabinet Minister Transport
A. P. Anil Kumar Cabinet Minister Revenue
N. Samsudheen Cabinet Minister General Education and Minority Welfare
Roji M. John Cabinet Minister Higher Education
P. C. Vishnunadh Cabinet Minister Tourism and Culture
Bindhu Krishna Cabinet Minister Labour, Dairy Development, Women and Child Development, and Animal Husbandry
M. Liju Cabinet Minister Excise and Co-operation
K. M. Shaji Cabinet Minister Local Self Governments
P. K. Basheer Cabinet Minister Public Works
V. E. Abdul Gafoor Cabinet Minister Fisheries and Social Justice
T. Siddique Cabinet Minister Agriculture
K. A. Thulasi Cabinet Minister Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes
O. J. Janeesh Cabinet Minister Sports, Youth Affairs, and Archaeology

National Parks

  • Periyar National Park
  • Eravikulam National Park
  • Silent Valley National Park
  • Anamudi Shola National Park
  • Mathikettan Shola National Park
  • Pampadum Shola National Park