The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has greenlit a key change. The state of Kerala will now be called ‘Keralam’. The move officially sets in motion the process of renaming Kerala to Keralam, marking a historic shift as the proposal now enters the constitutional route. 

How the Process Started

It began with the State Legislative Assembly of Kerala. On June 24, 2024, they passed a resolution. They noted that ‘Keralam’ is the name in Malayalam. States formed on language lines in 1956. Kerala Piravi Day is November 1. The assembly urged the central government to update the Constitution’s First Schedule under Article 3 in the Constitution of India. The Kerala government then formally asked India to amend the name, advancing the Kerala to Keralam proposal.

Constitutional Process to Rename a State

Next, President Droupadi Murmu will send the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to Kerala’s assembly. They must share their views. After that, the government will seek the President’s recommendation. The bill will then go to Parliament for final approval. Article 3 of the Constitution allows Parliament to change state names. But it requires the President’s nod and state input first. This is the formal path for Kerala renamed Keralam to become law. 

Origins of the Name Keralam

The name “Keralam” goes back hundreds of years. It may come from “Cheram,” tied to the old Chera dynasty. Emperor Ashoka’s Rock Edict II from 257 BCE mentions “Keralaputra.” This means “son of Kerala” or the Chera ruler. German scholar Herman Gundert said “keram” in Kannada means “cheram.” He described Keralam as the land (“alam”) from Gokarnam to Kanyakumari. The word “cher” means “to join.” In Malayalam, people have always called it “Keralam.” English records use “Kerala” since the state formed. The Kerala name change reflects this historical and linguistic continuity.

Formation of Modern Kerala

In the 1920s, Malayalam speakers wanted one state. They started the Aikya Kerala movement. It aimed to join Malabar, Kochi, and Travancore. After 1947, Travancore-Cochin formed on July 1, 1949. In 1956, the States Reorganisation Commission made Kerala. This happened on November 1. It added Malabar and Kasaragod. But it left out southern Travancore taluks, now in Tamil Nadu. Kerala Piravi Day celebrates this every year. It honors the state’s birth as a linguistic region, a sentiment that continues in the Kerala to Keralam transition.

Timeline of the Kerala to Keralam Name Change

• August 2023: Kerala Assembly unanimously passes first resolution under CM Pinarayi Vijayan, urging Centre to update the First Schedule.
• June 24, 2024: Second unanimous resolution passed due to technical issues in the first (it sought changes across Eighth Schedule languages, but focused only on First Schedule). Reiterates linguistic pride from 1956 formation.​​
• 2025-2026: Kerala government formally requests Centre, strengthening the Kerala name change process.
• February 24, 2026: Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approves the move toward Kerala renamed Keralam. Timed ahead of 2026 assembly elections.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the proposed change regarding Kerala’s name?
The proposal seeks to officially change the name of the State of Kerala to “Keralam” in the Constitution of India.

Why is the name being changed to Keralam?
“Keralam” reflects the state’s name in Malayalam and aligns with its linguistic and cultural identity. The Kerala Legislative Assembly passed resolutions supporting this change.

When will the name change become official?
The change will take effect only after Parliament passes the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill and it receives Presidential assent.

Has India changed state names like this before?
Yes. Several states have officially changed names to better reflect local language and heritage, such as Orissa to Odisha and Uttaranchal to Uttarakhand.

Will the state’s boundaries change along with the name?
No. The proposal concerns only the name. There are no changes to territorial boundaries, governance structure, or administrative divisions.

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