Kerala is governed through a parliamentary system of representative democracy, common to all Indian states. The state has a unicameral legislature, the Kerala Legislative Assembly (Niyamasabha), which consists of 140 elected members.
The executive branch is headed by the Chief Minister, who is the head of government and leads the Council of Ministers. The Governor, appointed by the President of India, serves as the ceremonial head of state. Kerala is divided into 14 administrative districts, each overseen by a District Collector.
The state is particularly known for its strong framework of decentralization and local self-government. Power and funds are heavily devolved to local bodies known as Panchayats, Municipalities, and Municipal Corporations, ensuring robust grassroots participation in public services, healthcare, and infrastructure planning.