In a significant development reflecting linguistic identity and cultural heritage, the Union Cabinet of India approved a proposal to change the official name of the southern state of Kerala to “Keralam”. The decision marks a key constitutional step toward aligning the state’s official English name with the name used in the Malayalam language.
The proposal was approved by the Union Cabinet on 24 February 2026 during a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister. The move sets in motion the formal constitutional process required to alter the name of an Indian state.
The change has been described as a reflection of the linguistic identity of the people of the state, as “Keralam” is the name traditionally used in Malayalam to refer to the region.
Background: Why the Name Change Was Proposed
The demand to change the official name from “Kerala” to “Keralam” has existed for several years. In Malayalam—the primary language spoken in the state—the region is commonly referred to as Keralam, not Kerala.
Supporters of the change argued that the current name used in English does not fully reflect the linguistic and cultural identity of the state. They maintained that adopting “Keralam” as the official name would bring the constitutional name of the state in line with its traditional and linguistic identity.
The Kerala Legislative Assembly formally took up the issue and passed resolutions requesting the Union government to initiate the renaming process.
Kerala Assembly Resolutions
The first major step toward the name change was taken by the Kerala Legislative Assembly. In August 2023, the Assembly adopted a resolution urging the Union government to change the state’s name from Kerala to Keralam.
However, the resolution had to be passed again due to procedural reasons. On 24 June 2024, the Assembly unanimously passed another resolution requesting the central government to amend the Constitution and change the state’s name officially to Keralam.
The resolution explained that the state has always been known as “Keralam” in Malayalam and that the name “Kerala” appears only in the First Schedule of the Constitution of India.
It also pointed out that Indian states were reorganised on linguistic lines in 1956, and therefore the state’s constitutional name should reflect its linguistic identity.
Union Cabinet Approval
After receiving the request from the Kerala government, the proposal was examined by the Ministry of Home Affairs and other legal authorities.
On 24 February 2026, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal to alter the name of the state from Kerala to Keralam.
The Cabinet decision acknowledged the long-standing demand from the state government and noted that the change aligns with the name used in the Malayalam language.
The approval was welcomed by several political leaders, who described it as a recognition of the cultural identity of the people of the state.
Constitutional Procedure for Changing the Name of a State
Changing the name of an Indian state is not a simple administrative decision. It requires a formal constitutional process under Article 3 of the Constitution of India.
The procedure involves several steps:
- State Resolution
The process usually begins with a resolution passed by the state legislature requesting the name change. - Union Cabinet Approval
The proposal is examined by the Union government and approved by the Union Cabinet. - Presidential Recommendation
After Cabinet approval, the President of India refers the proposal to the concerned state legislature for its views. - Introduction of a Bill in Parliament
A bill—called the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 in this case—will be introduced in Parliament. - Parliamentary Approval
Both houses of Parliament must pass the bill. - Final Presidential Assent
After the bill is passed, the President of India gives assent, making the name change official.
Only after completing these steps will the state’s name be formally changed in the Constitution.
Historical Context of Kerala’s Formation
Understanding the renaming issue also requires looking at the historical formation of the state.
Modern Kerala was created on 1 November 1956 under the States Reorganisation Act, which reorganised Indian states based on linguistic identity. Malayalam-speaking regions from the former princely states of Travancore and Cochin were merged with the Malabar district to form the state of Kerala.
This day is celebrated annually as Kerala Piravi (Kerala Formation Day).
The demand for a unified state for Malayalam speakers was part of the Aikya Kerala Movement, which sought to unite all Malayalam-speaking regions into a single administrative unit.
Supporters of the name change argue that since the state was formed on linguistic grounds, its official name should also reflect the Malayalam form “Keralam.”
Cultural and Linguistic Significance
The word “Keralam” has deep cultural and linguistic roots. It is the name used in Malayalam literature, historical texts, and everyday speech by residents of the state.
In Malayalam grammar, “Keralam” is the natural form of the name, while “Kerala” is an anglicised version that became widely used in English during colonial and post-colonial administrative usage.
Changing the official name is therefore seen as a way of reinforcing regional identity and preserving linguistic heritage.
Political and Public Reactions
The renaming proposal has generated both support and debate in political and public circles.
Supporters argue that the change is a symbolic but meaningful recognition of the state’s linguistic identity. They believe it reflects the aspirations of the Malayali people and corrects a historical inconsistency between the constitutional name and the local usage.
However, some critics have argued that the change is largely symbolic and does not address more pressing economic or social issues facing the state.
Despite differing opinions, the move has sparked widespread discussion about linguistic identity, federalism, and the cultural representation of Indian states.
What Happens Next
Following the Union Cabinet’s approval, the next step is the introduction of the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 in Parliament.
If the bill is passed by both houses of Parliament and receives presidential assent, the name “Kerala” will be officially replaced by “Keralam” in the Constitution of India.
Once the change takes effect, government documents, official records, and administrative references will gradually adopt the new name.
Conclusion
The proposal to rename Kerala as Keralam represents more than a simple change in spelling. It reflects a broader discussion about language, identity, and the relationship between regional cultures and the constitutional framework of India.
By aligning the state’s official name with its Malayalam usage, supporters believe the change acknowledges the cultural heritage and linguistic identity of the people of the region.
As the constitutional process moves forward, the final decision will depend on parliamentary approval. If enacted, the change will mark another milestone in the evolving relationship between language, governance, and identity in India.
