Kerala to Keralam: Union Cabinet Approves Landmark Name Change; What Happens Next?
NEW DELHI/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – In a historic move toward reclaiming linguistic identity, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has officially approved the proposal to rename the state of Kerala as “Keralam.” The decision, announced on February 24, 2026, marks the first significant step in a constitutional process that seeks to align the state’s official title with its native Malayalam name.
A Historic Decision at “Seva Teerth”
The approval was granted during a landmark Cabinet meeting held at Seva Teerth, the newly inaugurated PMO complex. Briefing the media, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that the Centre has accepted the unanimous resolution passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly in June 2024.
“The decision to rename Kerala as Keralam reflects the will of the people of the state,” PM Modi shared in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He emphasized that the move is part of the government’s broader effort to strengthen the connection with India’s “glorious culture and heritage.”
Understanding the Renaming Process: The Role of Article 3
While the Cabinet’s nod is a major milestone, the state will not become “Keralam” overnight. The change requires a formal amendment to the First Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
According to Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, the process will follow these specific steps:
- Presidential Reference: The President of India will now refer the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, to the Kerala Legislative Assembly to seek its formal views.
- Parliamentary Approval: Once the Assembly’s response is received, the Bill will be introduced in Parliament.
- Simple Majority: The Bill must be passed by a simple majority in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
- Presidential Assent: After being passed by Parliament, the Bill will be sent back to the President for final approval and subsequent notification in the Gazette of India.
Why Renaming to Keralam Matters
The demand for the name change is rooted in the linguistic reorganization of Indian states that took place on November 1, 1956, a day celebrated globally by the diaspora as Kerala Piravi.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who moved the original resolution, has long argued that the name “Kerala” is an anglicized remnant of colonial rule. In Malayalam, the region has always been referred to as Keralam. Etymologically, scholars link the word to “Cheram” (the land of the Cheras) or “Kera” (coconut), the state’s iconic agricultural produce.
Political Implications and Regional Reactions
The timing of the approval is significant, coming just months before the 2026 Kerala Assembly Elections. While the ruling LDF and the opposition UDF had supported the resolution, the state BJP unit also recently intensified its push for the change, with state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar writing to the PM to expedite the process.
However, the move has also sparked a national debate. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned the Centre’s “selective approval,” pointing out that her state’s request to be renamed “Bangla” has been pending for years.
Conclusion: A New Chapter for Keralite Identity
As the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 moves toward Parliament, the transition represents more than just a change in spelling. It is a victory for linguistic pride and a step toward decolonizing the official nomenclature of the Indian Union. For the millions of Malayalis worldwide, the “God’s Own Country” is finally coming home to its original name.
