Government Introduces Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha

The Union government introduced the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha on August 10, 2026, to officially rename the state of Kerala as "Keralam." This follows a long-standing demand from Kerala itself and marks the final legislative step after the Union Cabinet, led by PM Narendra Modi, approved the proposal.

Legislative Assembly of Kerala Passed a Resolution to Alter the Name of the State of Kerala

The push for this change actually began in the state itself. Back in June 2024, the Kerala Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution requesting the Centre to make the switch. Their reasoning was rooted in language and history: in Malayalam, the state has always been called "Keralam," and this identity dates back to when Indian states were reorganised along linguistic lines on November 1, 1956, a date still celebrated as Kerala Piravi Day. Despite this, the Constitution's First Schedule had continued to record the state's name simply as "Kerala." Following the resolution, the Kerala government formally asked the Centre to amend the Constitution accordingly.

Article 3 of the Constitution Provides for Alteration of Names of Existing States

1. This entire process is governed by Article 3 of the Constitution, which allows Parliament to change the name of any state through law. 
2. However, there's a specific procedure to follow: no such bill can be introduced in Parliament without the President's recommendation, and if the bill affects a state's name, area, or boundaries, the President must first send it to that state's legislature for its views. 
3. Only after this consultation process, and with the Ministry of Law and Justice's concurrence, did the matter move forward with Union Home Minister Amit Shah overseeing the Cabinet note before final approval.