Kerala – Centre Clears Proposal to Rename State as Keralam Ahead of Polls
Kerala – The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal from the Kerala government seeking to officially rename the state as “Keralam,” setting the stage for further constitutional procedures just months before Assembly elections expected in April and May.
Cabinet Decision and Constitutional Process
Addressing the media after the Cabinet meeting, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the proposed legislation, titled the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, will now be forwarded to the Kerala Legislative Assembly for its views, as required under Article 3 of the Constitution.
He explained that once cleared by the Union Cabinet, the President of India will refer the Bill to the state Assembly. This step is mandatory when any change affecting a state’s name or boundaries is proposed. The Assembly’s opinion will then be considered before Parliament takes up the matter.
The move marks a key development in a process that began at the state level and has since advanced through constitutional channels.
Resolution Passed Unanimously by Kerala Assembly
The Kerala Legislative Assembly had unanimously adopted a resolution in June 2024 calling for the state’s name to be changed from “Kerala” to “Keralam.” The resolution was introduced by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and received support across party lines.
This was the second time the Assembly had passed such a resolution. An earlier version, cleared in August 2023, had been sent to the Centre. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs suggested certain technical modifications, prompting the state government to resubmit the proposal with revisions.
With the updated resolution now endorsed and the Union Cabinet’s approval in place, the proposal has moved to the next formal stage under constitutional provisions.
Rationale Behind the Name Change
While presenting the resolution in the Assembly, Chief Minister Vijayan said that “Keralam” reflects the state’s name in Malayalam and aligns with its linguistic and cultural identity. He pointed out that the demand for a unified state for Malayalam-speaking people dates back to the national freedom movement.
According to the chief minister, the term “Keralam” is widely used in the state’s official language and carries historical significance. However, in the First Schedule of the Constitution of India, the name appears as “Kerala.”
The resolution urged the Union government to amend the relevant provisions under Article 3 to officially adopt “Keralam” and ensure the name is reflected consistently in all languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Legal and Legislative Steps Ahead
Under Article 3, Parliament has the authority to alter the name of a state. However, before introducing such a Bill, the President must refer it to the concerned state legislature for expressing its views within a specified timeframe.
The opinion of the state legislature is not binding on Parliament, but it is an essential procedural requirement. After receiving the Assembly’s response, the Bill can be introduced in Parliament for discussion and approval.
If passed by both Houses of Parliament and signed into law, the change would formally amend the Constitution to reflect the new name.
Political Context and Timing
The Cabinet’s decision comes at a time when Kerala is preparing for Assembly elections due in the coming months. While the proposal for renaming the state has been presented as a matter of cultural identity and linguistic accuracy, its timing has drawn attention in political circles.
However, the resolution in the Assembly was adopted unanimously, indicating broad political consensus within the state on the issue.
The renaming of states is not unprecedented in India. Several states have changed their official names over the years to better reflect local languages and historical identities. Any such change requires adherence to constitutional procedures and parliamentary approval.
With the Union Cabinet’s clearance now secured, the proposal to rename Kerala as Keralam advances to the next phase of legislative scrutiny, bringing it closer to a final decision at the national level.