New Delhi: The Union Cabinet approved the Kerala name change from “Kerala” to “Keralam” on February 24, 2026, and cleared the process to introduce a Bill in Parliament.
The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accepted the proposal to alter the State’s name. Following this decision, the President of India will refer the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the Kerala Legislative Assembly for its views under Article 3 of the Constitution.
After receiving the Assembly’s opinion, the Centre will take further steps. Subsequently, the President’s recommendation will be obtained to introduce the Bill in Parliament for the Kerala name change.
The Kerala Legislative Assembly had passed a resolution on June 24, 2024 seeking the alteration. The resolution stated that the State is known as “Keralam” in Malayalam. It also noted that states were reorganised on linguistic lines on November 1, 1956. However, the First Schedule of the Constitution records the name as “Kerala.”
The Assembly unanimously urged the Centre to amend the Constitution to reflect the name “Keralam.” Later, the Kerala Government formally requested the Union Government to initiate the amendment under Article 3.
Article 3 process for Kerala name change
Article 3 empowers Parliament to alter the name of any State by law. However, such a Bill requires the President’s recommendation before introduction in either House. In addition, if the proposal affects a State’s name, the President must refer it to the concerned State Legislature for its views within a specified period.
The Ministry of Home Affairs examined the proposal for the Kerala name change. With the approval of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, officials circulated the draft Cabinet note to the Department of Legal Affairs and the Legislative Department in the Ministry of Law and Justice. Both departments concurred with the proposal.
Once the Assembly conveys its views, the Centre will proceed with the legislative process in Parliament.
