It’s a moment decades in the making. On February 24, 2026, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi made history — officially approving the proposal to change the name of Kerala to Keralam, with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirming the decision after the Cabinet meeting. Csuohio For millions of Malayalam speakers, this isn’t just a spelling tweak — it’s a long-overdue recognition of cultural identity.
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Kerala to Keralam — Key Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Decision By | Union Cabinet, Government of India |
| Announced By | Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw |
| Date Approved | February 24, 2026 |
| Bill Name | Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 |
| Constitutional Provision | Article 3, Constitution of India |
| Current Name in Constitution | Kerala (First Schedule) |
| Proposed New Name | Keralam |
| Resolution Passed By Kerala Assembly | June 24, 2024 (unanimously) |
| Next Step | Bill referred to Kerala Legislative Assembly for views |
| Cabinet Meeting Venue | Seva Teerth (New PMO Building — first ever meeting here) |
Why “Keralam”? The Story Behind the Change
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who had moved the resolution, wanted the Union government to change the state’s name from Kerala to Keralam in all languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution — arguing that the state is called “Keralam” in Malayalam and that the demand to form a united Kerala for Malayalam-speaking communities had strongly emerged since the time of the national freedom struggle. ResetEra
The demand is rooted in the reorganization of Indian states along linguistic lines on November 1, 1956. While the state is referred to as “Keralam” in Malayalam, the First Schedule of the Constitution had maintained the colonial-era spelling “Kerala” until now. rnz
In short — the country has simply been using the wrong name for 70 years.
What Happens Next?
The name change isn’t automatic. After approval of the Union Cabinet, the President of India will refer the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the State Legislative Assembly of Kerala for expressing its views under the proviso to Article 3 of the Constitution of India. After receipt of the views of the State Legislative Assembly, the Centre will take further action and the recommendation of the President will be obtained for the introduction of the Bill. Quora
Parliament must then amend the Constitution — specifically the First Schedule — before “Keralam” becomes the official name across all documents, maps, and institutions.
The Rare Political Moment
The move has seen rare bipartisan support, with leaders across the political spectrum — including state BJP figures — endorsing the restoration of the native name. Even Congress MP Shashi Tharoor joined the cultural conversation, musing about what the new demonym for residents might be.
The timing also carries political significance — the decision came ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections expected to be held in April-May 2026.
For more updates on this constitutional development and Indian political news, follow Technosports.
FAQs
Q: Has Kerala officially been renamed to Keralam yet?
Not yet officially — the Union Cabinet has approved the proposal, but the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 still needs to pass through Parliament and receive Presidential assent before the change takes full legal effect.
Q: Why does Kerala want to be renamed Keralam?
“Keralam” is the traditional Malayalam name for the state — renaming it corrects a colonial-era inconsistency and aligns the official name with the state’s linguistic and cultural identity.
