Cabinet Approves Renaming of Kerala to “Keralam” – Full Constitutional Process Explained (2026 Update)
On 24 February 2026, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister approved the proposal to alter the name of the State of “Kerala” to “Keralam”. This historic decision follows a resolution passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly on 24 June 2024.
- Why Kerala is being renamed to Keralam
- Article 3 of the Constitution explained
- Role of President of India
- What happens next in Parliament
- Political and constitutional significance
Why Change the Name from Kerala to Keralam?
The Kerala Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution stating that the official name of the state in Malayalam language is “Keralam”. Since states were reorganized on linguistic basis on 1 November 1956, the Assembly requested correction in the First Schedule of the Constitution to reflect the native linguistic name.
The resolution emphasized that while the Constitution records the name as “Kerala”, the correct Malayalam name is “Keralam”.
What is Article 3 of the Constitution?
Article 3 empowers Parliament to:
- Form new States
- Alter boundaries
- Change names of existing States
However, a Bill for this purpose can only be introduced in Parliament on the recommendation of the President of India.
Step-by-Step Constitutional Process (2026)
Step 1: Union Cabinet Approval
The Cabinet approved the proposal to introduce the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026.
Step 2: President Refers Bill to State Legislature
The President will refer the Bill to the Kerala Legislative Assembly for expressing its views.
Step 3: State Legislature Responds
The Assembly expresses its opinion within the specified time period.
Step 4: Introduction in Parliament
After receiving the Assembly’s views, the Bill will be introduced in Parliament with Presidential recommendation.
Step 5: Parliamentary Approval
If passed by both Houses and assented by the President, the name will officially change to “Keralam”.
Legal Review & Ministry Approval
The proposal was examined by the Ministry of Home Affairs and circulated to the Ministry of Law and Justice. The Department of Legal Affairs and Legislative Department concurred with the proposal.
Political & Cultural Significance
- Aligns official name with Malayalam language identity
- Strengthens linguistic federalism
- Reflects long-standing demand since independence movement
Will This Affect Passports, Documents & International Records?
Once Parliament passes the Bill and it receives Presidential assent, official records including government notifications, constitutional references and administrative documents will gradually reflect “Keralam”. International codes and abbreviations may remain unchanged initially.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Has the name officially changed? | Not yet. Parliamentary approval is pending. |
| Can Parliament reject the proposal? | Yes, Parliament has the final authority under Article 3. |
| Does State Assembly approval bind Parliament? | No, its view is advisory. |
Conclusion
The proposed renaming of Kerala to Keralam represents a significant constitutional and cultural development in 2026. The final decision now rests with Parliament after completion of the constitutional procedure under Article 3.
Stay updated for further developments as the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 progresses through Parliament.
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