Union Cabinet Approves Renaming Kerala as 'Keralam'
AQuick answer
Union Cabinet approves renaming Kerala to Keralam; constitutional amendment to First Schedule required.
Key facts
The Union Cabinet on February 24-25, 2026 approved officially altering the name of 'Kerala' to 'Keralam', reflecting the state's name in the Malayalam language.
The decision follows unanimous resolutions passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly in August 2023 and June 2024.
Under Article 3 of the Constitution, the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 will be referred to the state legislature before introduction in Parliament.
The change requires amendments to the First Schedule and consequential updates to the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution.
This aligns with similar past changes: Orissa to Odisha (2011) and Pondicherry to Puducherry (2006).
The Union Cabinet on February 24, 2026 approved the proposal to officially alter the name of the state from 'Kerala' to 'Keralam'. The decision follows unanimous resolutions passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly in August 2023 and June 2024. The name 'Keralam' reflects the state's name in the Malayalam language.
Under Article 3 of the Constitution, the President will refer the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the state legislature for its views before introduction in Parliament. The change requires amendments to the First Schedule and consequential updates to the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution. This aligns with similar past changes — Orissa to Odisha (2011) and Pondicherry to Puducherry (2006).
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Mains angle
Q: Examine the constitutional process for renaming Kerala as 'Keralam', as approved by the Union Cabinet in February 2026.
Answer (50 words):
The Union Cabinet on February 24-25, 2026 approved renaming Kerala as 'Keralam', following the Kerala Assembly's unanimous resolutions of August 2023 and June 2024. Under Article 3, the President will refer the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the state legislature; amendments to the First and Fourth Schedules follow.
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Union Government (Executive, Legislature, Judiciary)Indian Constitution & GovernanceUnion-State Relations & EmergencyIndian Constitution & Governance
What did the Union Cabinet decide regarding the name of Kerala in February 2026?
The **Union Cabinet** on **February 24-25, 2026** approved the proposal to officially alter the name of the state from **'Kerala' to 'Keralam'**. The name 'Keralam' reflects the state's name in the **Malayalam language**.
What is the constitutional procedure for renaming a state in India?
Under **Article 3 of the Constitution**, the **President refers the matter** (after Cabinet approval) to the concerned **State Legislature** for its views. Parliament then passes a **law by simple majority** to officially change the state name, without the consent of the state being mandatory.
What resolutions did the Kerala Legislative Assembly pass to rename Kerala as Keralam?
The **Kerala Legislative Assembly** passed **unanimous resolutions** in **August 2023** and **June 2024** requesting the Union Government to officially rename 'Kerala' to 'Keralam'. The Cabinet's February 2026 approval follows these legislative resolutions.
What is the meaning and origin of the name 'Keralam'?
'**Keralam**' is the name of the state in **Malayalam** — the official and primary language of Kerala. The name derives from 'Kera' (coconut palm) + 'alam' (land) — 'Land of Coconut Trees'. Officially adopting 'Keralam' honours the state's indigenous linguistic identity.
How many states have been renamed in India and what is the recent trend?
Several states have been renamed in recent years: **Odisha** (from Orissa, 2011), **Uttarakhand** (from Uttaranchal, 2007), **Puducherry** (from Pondicherry, 2006), **Mumbai** (from Bombay), **Chennai** (from Madras). Keralam (Kerala) is among the latest to formalise its indigenous name.
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