The Government of Kerala on November 05, 2025, issued the Kerala Public Records Act, 2025.
The following has been stated namely: -
• The Act provides for the regulation, preservation, and management of public records of Government departments, local self-government bodies, public sector undertakings, commissions, boards, and committees in Kerala.
• It empowers the State Government and the Director of Archives to supervise, appraise, classify, dispose of, and preserve public records, including those of permanent and archival value.
• The Act mandates each record-creating agency to appoint a Records Officer responsible for the safe custody, maintenance, periodic review, and disposal of records as per prescribed retention schedules.
• It prohibits removal or destruction of public records without authorization and imposes penalties up to 5 years imprisonment or ₹50,000 fine for unauthorized actions affecting records of historical or permanent value.
• The Archival Advisory Board and Purchase Committee are constituted to guide record management policies and the acquisition of records from private sources.
• The Act also ensures public access to records over 30 years old, except those classified as confidential, and empowers the Government to make rules for effective implementation and to remove difficulties in its application.
[Notification no. - 53/Leg. D1/2023/Law]
