Last updated: September 30, 2026
Readers use Speaks Kerala to make real decisions: applying for certificates, updating Aadhaar, checking pensions or preparing for government jobs. A wrong fee, date or link can cost them time and money. This Fact-Checking Policy explains the steps we take to verify information before and after publication.
1. What We Check
Every article is checked for the following before it is published:
- Names of schemes, departments, portals and documents
- Official website addresses and links, which must lead to the genuine government domain
- Fees, charges, amounts, income limits and eligibility conditions
- Dates, deadlines, validity periods and processing times
- Step-by-step procedures, menu names and button labels on official portals
- Helpline numbers and contact channels
- Claims about new rules, launches or discontinued services
2. Source Hierarchy
We give the highest weight to primary sources. Our order of preference is: official government portals and user guides; government orders, circulars and gazette notifications; official press releases and statements; and reputable news organisations. Secondary sources are used to identify news, but facts are traced back to an official source wherever possible.
3. Verification Process
- Identify claims: The writer lists every factual claim in the draft, especially numbers, dates and procedures.
- Trace to source: Each claim is matched to an official or reliable source.
- Cross-check: Important claims, such as fees or eligibility, are confirmed with at least one additional reliable source when available.
- Test links: Every external link is opened to confirm it works and leads to the correct official page.
- Flag uncertainty: If a fact cannot be confirmed, it is removed or clearly described as unconfirmed or subject to change.
- Final review: The article is reviewed again before publishing.
4. Handling Changing Information
Some details, such as application fees, pension amounts, deadlines and portal layouts, change often. For such details we either mention the date the information applies from, or advise readers to confirm the current value on the official portal. We avoid publishing exact figures when they cannot be confirmed from an official or reliable source.
5. Viral Messages, Rumours and Scams
We do not publish claims based only on WhatsApp forwards, social media posts or unverified websites. When we write about a viral claim, we check it against official sources and clearly state whether it is true, false or unverified. Where we find fake websites, fake apps or scams that target people seeking government services, we warn readers and point them to the genuine official channel.
6. Numbers and Data
Statistics and figures are taken from official data or credible reports and presented in context. We avoid rounding or simplifying numbers in a way that changes their meaning, and we mention the time period that a figure refers to.
7. After Publication
Fact-checking continues after an article is published. We monitor official announcements, re-check important guides periodically and act on reader reports. When a fact changes or an error is found, we update the article and, where appropriate, add a correction note as explained in our Corrections Policy.
8. Reporting a Possible Error
If you believe any information on our website is inaccurate or outdated, please tell us through our Contact Us page or email us at mail@admarq.in. Please include the article link, the information you believe is incorrect and, if possible, a link to an official source. We review every report.
9. Our Commitment
We are a small, independent team and we will occasionally make mistakes. When we do, we will fix them quickly and transparently. This policy works together with our Editorial Policy to ensure that our readers can trust what they read on Speaks Kerala.