Union Cabinet approves renaming Kerala to ‘Keralam’; Bill to be sent to state Assembly under Article 3 before introduction in Parliament for final approval.
Union Cabinet approves renaming Kerala to ‘Keralam’; Bill [Photo: X]
The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday approved a major decision to rename the Indian state of Kerala as “Keralam,” bringing a long‑standing cultural demand closer to reality. The approval marks a key milestone in the constitutional process to amend the state’s official name under Article 3 of the Constitution of India, a step that could formally restore the state’s traditional Malayalam name in official records.
This development comes months before the state’s Assembly elections, adding political and cultural significance to the move as the process now shifts from bureaucratic consent to legislative discussion.
In a meeting held on Tuesday, the Union Cabinet officially sanctioned the proposal to change the state’s name from “Kerala” to “Keralam.” The decision follows repeated resolutions passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly, which urged the Centre to formalise the change to reflect the state’s linguistic and historical identity.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the Cabinet’s approval, explaining that the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, will next be sent to the Kerala State Legislative Assembly for its views under the constitutional proviso attached to Article 3.
The name “Keralam” reflects the state’s authentic linguistic and cultural identity. While the world knows the state as Kerala, its residents have traditionally referred to it as Keralam in Malayalam, the local language. The renaming seeks to align official records, maps, and government documents with the state’s native terminology, correcting a historical inconsistency that arose during the 1956 linguistic reorganisation of states.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has emphasised that “Keralam” represents the people’s heritage and pride, ensuring that the state’s legal name mirrors its original Malayalam usage rather than the Anglicised version. This change also aligns with India’s broader trend of renaming places to honour local language, culture, and history.
The Assembly first passed a resolution for the name change in August 2023 and renewed it on June 24, 2024, following technical modifications suggested by the Union Home Ministry. The Cabinet’s latest approval now pushes the long‑standing demand into the formal legislative process.
The term “Keralam” originates from Malayalam, the state’s official language, and historically refers to the land of the Malayali people. Linguistically, it is believed to derive from “Cheral” or “Cheralam”, ancient references to the region in Sangam literature, which denotes the southern coast of India.
In essence, “Keralam” means ‘Land of Coconuts’ or ‘Land of the Chera Kingdom’, depending on historical interpretation. It represents not just a geographical area, but a cultural and linguistic identity that has persisted for centuries, making it more than a mere name; it is a symbol of heritage, tradition, and local pride.
After Cabinet approval, the Bill will be referred to the President of India, who will formally send it to the Kerala State Legislative Assembly. The state legislature must express its opinion on the proposal before the Centre can move ahead with further steps. Once that opinion is received, the Government of India will seek the President’s recommendation to introduce the Bill in Parliament for debate and voting.
Article 3 of the Constitution allows Parliament to change the name of any state through legislation, but only after the President refers the Bill to the relevant state for its views. If passed by both Houses of Parliament, the name change will become law and update the First Schedule of the Constitution, where all state names are listed.
The timing of the Cabinet’s nod is significant as Kerala prepares for Assembly elections expected later this year. Analysts see the decision as aligning with efforts to emphasise cultural identity and linguistic heritage, especially among voters who resonate with the idea of reclaiming the state’s original name.
The move has drawn reactions from across the political spectrum, blending cultural pride with strategic positioning ahead of the polls. Some leaders, including Parliamentarians, have weighed in on the symbolic importance of the change and how it reflects the state’s history.
The name change proposal has also sparked linguistic and cultural discussions nationwide. Notably, Shashi Tharoor, a veteran politician and author, humorously raised questions about how English demonyms will evolve, wondering whether residents will be called “Keralamites” or “Keralamians.”
Such responses highlight how renaming debates often extend beyond legal formalities into questions of identity, language, and everyday usage.
If Parliament passes the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, all official references, including government documents, maps, administrative records and constitutional listings, will change from “Kerala” to “Keralam.”
Although the renaming is largely symbolic and will not affect administrative or territorial boundaries, it strengthens local identity and aligns formal nomenclature with native usage.
