When we talk about Kerala, images of its beautiful tea gardens in Munnar, serene backwaters in Alleppey, and diverse wildlife in Wayanad often come to mind. Known as “God’s Own Country,” Kerala is rich in culture, cuisine, and natural beauty. There is an important change approaching: the state’s name will be changed! Yep, you read that right! The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, officially approved the change from ‘Kerala’ to ‘Keralam’ on February 24, 2026.
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Following this decision, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, will present a Bill, titled the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, to the State Legislative Assembly for its opinion, in accordance with Article 3 of the Constitution of India. Once the assembly provides its feedback, the central government will move forward with the necessary steps and seek the President’s recommendations for introducing this Bill in Parliament.
Kerala Legislative Assembly Passed A Resolution For Name Change In 2024
On June 24, 2024, the Kerala Legislative Assembly passed a resolution advocating for the name change, emphasizing that ‘Keralam’ is the term used in Malayalam. The assembly highlighted that states were created based on language on November 1, 1956, which is also celebrated as Kerala Piravi Day. The resolution reflected a long-standing aspiration for a united Kerala for all Malayalam speakers, while noting that the state’s name in the Constitution remains ‘Kerala.’ The assembly unanimously called on the central government to take action to modify the name to ‘Keralam.’
This isn’t the first time a state or city name has changed in India. States and regions such as Puducherry (formerly Pondicherry), Uttarakhand (formerly known as Uttaranchal), and Odisha (previously called Orissa) have undergone official renaming. Similarly, several cities have also been renamed, including Chennai (formerly Madras) and Mumbai (formerly Bombay), reflecting efforts to align names more closely with local languages, history, and cultural identity.
