Union Cabinet approves renaming of Kerala; The state to now to be known as 'Keralam'

The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved the proposal for the alteration of the name of the state of Kerala to ‘Keralam’. 

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday approved the proposal for the alteration of the name of the state of Kerala to "Keralam." The decision comes ahead of the assembly polls in the state, slated for the first half of this year.

Meanwhile, according to ANI, briefing reporters after a meeting of the Union Cabinet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the Kerala Alteration of Name Bill will be sent to the state assembly for its approval. 

"After approval of the Union Cabinet, the President of India will refer a Bill, namely the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, to the State Legislative Assembly of Kerala for expressing its views under the proviso to Article 3 of the Constitution of India," Vaishnaw said.

After receipt of the views of the State Legislative Assembly of Kerala, the Centre will take further action, and the recommendation of the President will be obtained for the introduction of the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, for the alteration of the name of the state of 'Kerala' as 'Keralam' in Parliament.

"Article 3 of the Constitution provides for the alteration of the names of existing states. According to Article 3, Parliament may by law alter the name of any state. Further proviso to Article 3 states that no Bill for the purpose shall be introduced in either House of Parliament except on the recommendation of the President and unless, where the proposal contained in the Bill affects the area, boundaries or name of any of the States, the Bill has been referred by the President to the Legislature of that State for expressing its views thereon within such period as may be specified in the reference or within such further period as the President may allow and the period so specified or allowed has expired," and official government statement read. 

Notably, the Legislative Assembly of Kerala passed a resolution in June 2024 to alter the name of the state of Kerala to "Keralam."

(with ANI inputs)