The Union Cabinet on 24 February 2026 approved the proposal to rename the State of Kerala as Keralam, restoring its original Malayalam name. The move follows a unanimous resolution passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly in June 2024, seeking to align the state’s official name with its linguistic and cultural identity. Under Article 3 of the Constitution, the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 will be referred to the state assembly before being introduced in Parliament.
The renaming is aimed at ensuring linguistic authenticity, acknowledging the historical usage of “Keralam” in inscriptions and literature, and strengthening the state’s cultural identity. The proposal enjoys cross-party political support and long-standing public backing, though its timing ahead of the 2026 state elections adds political relevance.
Once approved by Parliament, the change will require administrative updates to official records and documents. Symbolically, it reflects India’s broader effort to restore indigenous place names and preserve cultural heritage.
