The Social Justice Department was established on 9th September 1975 for ensuring justice to the disadvantaged sections of the society and for the implementation of social welfare programmes and services in Kerala. ​It also provides social security for the Aged and infirm through a network of organisations, residential institutions and non-institutional schemes.

The Directorate of Social Justice is the main arm of the Social Justice Department. The Directorate is the State Government machinery, which acts as the nodal implementing organisation for all the programmes of the State Government as well as programmes of Central Government. The Department also ensures proper implementation of important social welfare legislation through the Directorate. Various kinds of financial assistances  to the needy in the State are also provided through the Directorate.

The Department initiates and implements welfare programme and services for target population: - 

• Differently abled and mentally challenged persons

• Senior Citizens

• Destitutes

• Probationers, Ex-convicts

• Socially deviants

• Transgenders

An important feature of the Social Justice Department is that all the weaker sections of the society viz. destitute, senior citizens, differently abled, mentally challenged, ex- convicts, prisoners, transgenders etc. either directly or indirectly are the beneficiaries through the department. 

Since its inception, the Social Justice Department holds major status of by expanding its sphere of activities and providing more facilities and welfare measures to the needy  persons of the State.

To move on to a caring and equitable society in which senior citizens, persons with disabilities and victims of abuse lead productive, safe and dignified lives; to support and encourage the Transgender community through various welfare programmes which ensures their inclusivity and attain a just society for such marignalized groups.

To empower senior citizens, persons with disabilities, victims of abuse and destitutes through capacity building, economic and social development and rehabilitation as appropriate; to mainstream transgenders through policies and programmes; to ensure their inculsivity; and to create an enabling environment for social justice.

1.Reach out to the uncared, the destitute, the elderly, the physically and mentally challenged.

2. Rehabilitation and economic development of persons with disabilities.

3.Shelter, protection and rehabilitation support through care institutions.

4. Facilitate equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation of Persons with Disabilities.

5. Rehabilitation and reintegration of Transgender community.

1. Overseeing implementation of social legislations such as Orphanages and Other Charitable Homes (Supervision and Control) Act, 1960, Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act (Act 44 of 1999), Probation of Offenders Act 1958.

2. Framing of rules in respect of relevant legislations.

3. Formulation and implementation of policies and programmes for (a.) Persons with Disabilities (b.) Senior Citizens (c.) Transgenders (d.) Probationers & Ex-convicts (e.) Recommend financial assistance for NGOs working in the sector and monitor grant in aid received and administered.

4. Review implementation of centrally sponsored schemes and claim central assistance.

5. Approve, monitor and review all State plan schemes.