Kerala – widely known as ‘God’s own country’ – may soon have its official name changed to Keralam. Although the difference seems subtle, this shift carries symbolic weight: the word “Keralalam”, which has roots in Malayalam, is usually interpreted as “land of coconuts”.
The proposed change, approved by the Federal Cabinet on Tuesday, moves through the constitutional process that could formalize the new name.
Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the Kerala State (Change of Name) Bill, 2026 will be sent to the Kerala Legislative Assembly for its views.
The decision comes ahead of the state House of Representatives elections scheduled to be held in the first half of this year.
Read also | Kerala becomes Kerala: Union Cabinet approves decision to rename the state
Steps before the proposal reaches the Council of Ministers
The process of renaming Kerala began when the Legislative Assembly passed a resolution in June 2024 to change the name of the state “Kerala” to “Keralam”. Following this, the state government formally approached the Centre.
“The name of our state is ‘Kerala’ in Malayalam. The states were formed on the basis of language on the first day of November, 1956. Kerala Biravi Day also falls on the first day of November. Since the time of struggle for national independence, there has been a strong demand for the formation of a united state of Kerala for the people who speak the Malayalam language. But in the First Schedule of the Constitution the name of our state has been recorded as ‘Kerala.'” This House unanimously appeals to the Central Government to take urgent steps in accordance with Article 3 of the Constitution to amend the name as “Keralam,” the state assembly’s resolution said.
Under the Constitution, Article 1 states that “India, i.e., Bharat, shall become a union of States,” while Article 3 empowers Parliament to reorganize the states, including changing their names. According to Article 3, Parliament may, by law, change the name of any state.
This was not the first time such a decision had been issued. It has been resubmitted due to addressing procedural issues.
Steps after Cabinet approval
- With the approval of the Union Cabinet, the constitutional procedure under Article 3 will now be followed. As the government has clarified, the President will refer the bill to the Kerala Assembly for his views.
- After the association expresses its opinions, the center will proceed with other steps.
- The President’s recommendation will then be sought to introduce the Kerala State (Change of Name) Bill, 2026 in Parliament.
- If the bill is passed by Parliament and approved by the President, “Keralam” will become the official name of the state in the Constitution and across legal and administrative records.
