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Kerala Officially Renamed Keralam: Following the completion of the constitutional process for renaming the state, Kerala has been officially renamed ‘Keralam’. Acknowledging the long-standing demand to use the state’s Malayalam name at the national level, President Droupadi Murmu granted her assent to the relevant legislation after it was approved by Parliament. This change reflects the state’s linguistic and cultural identity, as ‘Keralam’ is the name traditionally used in the Malayalam language. This historic decision marks a significant symbolic shift; henceforth, this new name will be used in official documents and communications.
Kerala has officially moved to a new name, Keralam, after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026. The President’s approval completes the constitutional process that began with a long-standing demand to use the state’s Malayalam name in official records.
The name change follows approval by both Houses of Parliament. With presidential assent, the legislation has become law and the state will officially be known as Keralam.
Kerala Officially Renamed Keralam: Why?
The demand is closely linked to Kerala’s linguistic and cultural identity. In Malayalam, the state has traditionally been known as Keralam (കേരളം), while the English version has been Kerala.
The Kerala Legislative Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution on June 24, 2024, asking the Centre to change the state’s name from Kerala to Keralam. The resolution pointed out that the state was formed on linguistic lines in 1956 and that “Keralam” is the name used in Malayalam.
The Union Cabinet subsequently approved the proposal in February 2026. The government said the proposed change was intended to reflect the state’s linguistic heritage and the long-standing demand from Kerala.
What does the constitutional process involve?
Changing the official name of an Indian state is not simply an administrative decision. It requires a constitutional process under Article 3 of the Constitution of India.
Under this procedure, a Bill dealing with the name of a state requires the President’s recommendation before being introduced in Parliament. The concerned state legislature is also given an opportunity to express its views.
The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 ultimately received approval from Parliament before being sent for presidential assent. The legislation provides for changing the state’s name from Kerala to Keralam and amending the First Schedule of the Constitution accordingly.
Kerala Officially Renamed Keralam: What will change after the renaming?
The change is primarily an official and constitutional name change. Government records, official communications and other references to the state will gradually adopt the name Keralam.
The move does not change the state’s geographical boundaries or its administrative structure. It also does not alter the everyday identity of the people of the state.
For many Malayalis, however, the change carries cultural significance because Keralam is the name traditionally used in the Malayalam language.
A long-standing demand gets official recognition
The renaming is the result of a process that has taken several years. The Kerala Assembly’s 2024 resolution was an important step, followed by the Union Cabinet’s approval in 2026 and the subsequent parliamentary process.
The Centre had earlier stated that the proposal was intended to recognise the state’s linguistic heritage. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also described the move as fulfilling a long-standing demand and said the name Keralam would reflect the state’s heritage.
With President Murmu’s assent, the constitutional process has now reached its final stage.
Kerala is now Keralam
For decades, Kerala has been the name commonly used in English and in official national references. The adoption of Keralam marks a symbolic shift towards the state’s native Malayalam identity.
The decision is therefore more than a change in spelling. It represents the formal recognition of a name deeply connected with Kerala’s language, history and cultural identity.
Source: Government of India / PIB, Parliament-related reports
Updated: August 18, 2026
