Union Cabinet Approves Proposal to Rename Kerala as ‘Keralam’

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a proposal to alter the name of the State of Kerala to “Keralam.”

Following the Cabinet approval, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, will refer the proposed Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the Kerala Legislative Assembly for its views under the proviso to Article 3 of the Constitution of India.

After receiving the Assembly’s opinion, the Centre will take further steps, including obtaining the President’s recommendation, before introducing the Bill in Parliament.

Earlier, on June 24, 2024, the Kerala Legislative Assembly had passed a resolution requesting the Centre to amend the First Schedule of the Constitution to rename the State as “Keralam,” in line with Article 3 provisions.

About Article 3:
Article 3 empowers Parliament to reorganise states by forming new states, altering boundaries or areas, and changing state names. However, any Bill affecting a state’s name, boundary, or area can be introduced in Parliament only after the President refers it to the concerned State Legislature for its views within a specified period.

The proposed change reflects the state’s preference for its traditional Malayalam name “Keralam.”