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{{Short description|Government department in Kerala, India}}

{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name = Social Justice Department
| type = Department
| logo = Government of Kerala Logo.svg
| logo_width = 120px
| jurisdiction = {{flag|India}}, Kerala
| headquarters = [[Kerala Government Secretariat|Government Secretariat]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]]
| minister1_name = [[R. Bindu]]
| minister1_pfo = Minister for Social Justice
| chief1_name = Dr. Adeela Abdulla [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2025/Jan/30/kerala-government-reshuffles-ias-officers-assigns-new-roles|title=Kerala government reshuffles IAS officers; assigns new roles|first=Express News|last=Service|date=January 30, 2025|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>
| chief1_position = Special Secretary to Government
| chief2_name = Dr. Mithun Premraj [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]]
| chief2_position = Director of Social Justice
| parent_department = [[Government of Kerala]]
| child1_agency = Directorate of Social Justice
| website = {{URL|https://sjd.kerala.gov.in}}
}}
The '''Social Justice Department''' is an administrative department of the [[Government of Kerala]]. The department is responsible for formulating and implementing policies aimed at the welfare of [[Social exclusion|socially disadvantaged]] and marginalised sections, including [[Disability|persons with disabilities]], [[Old age|senior citizens]], [[Transgender|transgender persons]], and other vulnerable groups.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Social Justice Department - Profile |url=https://sjd.kerala.gov.in/profile |access-date=2025-11-08 |website=sjd.kerala.gov.in |language=en}}</ref>

The department functions as the nodal agency for the implementation of various social welfare legislations, schemes and missions, and coordinates with line departments and field agencies to ensure effective service delivery. The department’s headquarters is located in [[Thiruvananthapuram]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bureau |first=The Hindu |date=2025-10-17 |title=New Social Justice department office complex inaugurated in Alappuzha |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/new-social-justice-department-office-complex-inaugurated-in-alappuzha/article70174846.ece |access-date=2025-11-09 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-09-03 |title=Kerala govt sets up first Senior Citizens Commission in India |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/kerala-govt-sets-up-first-senior-citizens-commission-in-india/articleshow/123676375.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-11-09 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bureau |first=The Hindu |date=2025-09-28 |title=Vision 2031 for a developed and progressive Kerala |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/vision-2031-for-a-developed-and-progressive-kerala/article70102452.ece |access-date=2025-11-09 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vidyadharan |first=Sovi |date=2025-08-09 |title=Kerala launches landmark housing scheme for transgender community |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2025/Aug/09/kerala-launches-landmark-housing-scheme-for-transgender-community |access-date=2025-11-09 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

== Leadership ==
The department is headed by a Cabinet Minister of the Government of Kerala, and the incumbent Minister for Social Justice is [[R. Bindu]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kerala Council of Ministers |url=https://www.niyamasabha.nic.in/index.php/chief_minister/ministers |access-date=2025-11-08 |website=Niyamasabha.nic.in}}</ref>

The administrative head of the department is the Special Secretary to Government, an [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]] officer. The current Special Secretary is [[Adeela Abdulla|Dr. Adeela Abdulla]] IAS.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Key Officials - Social Justice Department |url=https://sjd.kerala.gov.in/key-people |access-date=2025-11-08}}</ref>

The Directorate of Social Justice is headed by the Director of Social Justice, and the incumbent Director is Dr. Mithun Premraj IAS.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Directorate of Social Justice |url=https://sjd.kerala.gov.in/directorate |access-date=2025-11-08}}</ref>

== Functions ==
* Administration and enforcement of social welfare laws and rules in the state<ref name="rules">{{Cite web |title=Rules of Business - Government of Kerala, Part II |url=https://gad.kerala.gov.in/sites/default/files/general_attachment/Rules%20of%20Business%20-%20Part%20II.pdf |access-date=2025-11-08}}</ref>
* Formulation and implementation of policies and schemes for the welfare of socially disadvantaged sections
* Implementation of [[Centrally Sponsored Scheme]]s related to social justice, disability welfare, senior citizens and rehabilitation
* Social security and support to transgender persons, destitute, elderly persons, and differently abled individuals
* Rehabilitation, protection, and social reintegration initiatives through field institutions and missions

== Line department ==
=== Directorate of Social Justice ===
The '''Directorate of Social Justice''' functions as the primary executive arm of the Social Justice Department.<ref name="auto"/> It serves as the nodal implementing agency for all social welfare programmes of the State Government as well as Centrally Sponsored Schemes.<ref name="auto"/>

The Directorate is headed by a '''Director of Social Justice''', an [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]] cadre officer, who is assisted by Additional Directors, Joint Directors and Assistant Directors at the state level. For field-level administration, '''District Social Justice Offices''' function in all 14 revenue districts of Kerala, each headed by a District Social Justice Officer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=District Offices - Social Justice Department |url=https://sjd.kerala.gov.in/district-offices |access-date=2025-11-08}}</ref>

The Directorate oversees numerous welfare and rehabilitation institutions across Kerala, including:
* Asha Bhavans
* Homes for physically challenged persons
* Care homes and day-care centres
* Old-age homes and full-time dementia care centres
* Vocational Training Centres
* *Pratheeksha Bhavan* (special rehabilitation home)
* District Probation Offices

These institutions provide social protection, shelter, rehabilitation, and various support services for elderly persons, persons with disabilities, destitute individuals, and other vulnerable groups.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Institutions - Social Justice Department |url=https://sjd.kerala.gov.in/institutions |access-date=2025-11-08}}</ref>

== Agencies / Institutions under the department ==
* Kerala State Disability Commission
* Kerala Social Security Mission (KSSM)
* Kerala State Council for Child Welfare (schemes pertaining to social justice)
* Transgender Cell
* State Resource Centre for Disabilities
* Institutions for rehabilitation and social care (Govt. homes, welfare centres, etc.)

== See also ==

* [[Department of Women and Child Development (Kerala)]]
* [[Department of Backward Communities Development (Kerala)]]
* [[Department of Minority Welfare (Kerala)]]
* [[Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes Development Department (Kerala)]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Government of Kerala]]
[[Category:Government departments of Kerala]]

Department of Social Justice (Kerala) - Revision history

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