In Shorts
- Union Cabinet approves proposal to rename Kerala as Keralam
- Move follows Kerala Assembly resolution passed in June 2024
- Final decision pending constitutional process and Parliament approval
In a significant development that underscores regional heritage, the Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal to officially rename Kerala as Keralam. The decision marks an important step toward aligning the state’s official name with its traditional usage in Malayalam, the primary language spoken by its residents.
The proposal is not entirely new. Back in June 2024, the Kerala Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution seeking to change the state’s name to Keralam in order to better reflect its linguistic and cultural roots. The state government subsequently forwarded the request to the Centre for consideration.
With the Cabinet now giving its approval, the renaming process will move forward under Article 3 of the Constitution. As part of this procedure, the President will refer the Kerala Alteration of Name Bill 2026 to the state assembly for its views before it is introduced in Parliament for final approval.
Supporters of the move argue that the name Keralam holds deeper historical and cultural meaning, as it has long been used in Malayalam to refer to the land and its people. The proposed change is seen as an effort to bring official records in line with the state’s linguistic identity, especially since Indian states were reorganised on language based lines in 1956.
If Parliament clears the bill after completing all constitutional formalities, the state will formally adopt the name Keralam for administrative and official purposes. The move is expected to resonate strongly with those who view it as a restoration of cultural authenticity rooted in regional tradition.
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