President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has renamed the Ministry of Defence as the Ministry of Defence and National Service.

The change was enacted under the powers vested in the President by Article 116(a) of the Constitution of the Maldives, and was formalised through a directive issued by the President’s Office on Wednesday. Following the amendment, the ministry’s official Dhivehi name has also been revised to reflect the updated designation.

Despite the change in name, the President’s Office confirmed that the ministry will continue to use its existing correspondence number, 28, in official documentation across Government institutions.

The renaming underscores an expansion of the ministry’s mandate, with national service now explicitly incorporated within its scope. The move aligns with the Government’s recently revised administrative framework and efforts to streamline and redefine ministerial responsibilities.