India’s Parliament Passes Bill to Rename Kerala as ‘Keralam’

By Arizona Asians Staff

India’s Parliament has passed legislation to officially change the name of the southern state of Kerala to “Keralam,” bringing the state’s English name in line with the name traditionally used in Malayalam.

The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 cleared the Rajya Sabha on August 12, a day after it was passed by the Lok Sabha. The bill had been introduced by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai. Once the remaining constitutional formalities are completed, references to “Kerala” in official central laws and constitutional schedules will be changed to “Keralam.”

Why the Name Is Changing

For Malayalam speakers, “Keralam” — കേരളം — has long been the commonly used name of the state. “Kerala” became the standardized English-language form used in the Constitution and by the Union government. The renaming effort seeks to remove that difference and give the state the same official name in English as it has in Malayalam. The Kerala Legislative Assembly had formally asked the Union government to make the change. In June 2024, the Assembly passed a resolution requesting that the state’s name be altered from Kerala to Keralam. An earlier resolution had also been adopted in 2023, but the later resolution refined the request to address the constitutional and legal provisions requiring amendment.

The Union Cabinet approved the proposal in February 2026, allowing the constitutional process for introducing the legislation in Parliament to proceed.

Why Parliament Was Required.

Changing the name of an Indian state requires more than a decision by the state government.

Under Article 3 of the Constitution of India, Parliament has the authority to alter the name, area or boundaries of a state. Before such legislation is introduced, the President refers the proposal to the concerned State Legislature so that it can express its views. After completing that process, Parliament can consider and pass the legislation. The Kerala renaming therefore required action both at the state and national levels. With both Houses of Parliament now approving the bill, the proposal has reached the final stages of the constitutional process.

From Travancore-Cochin and Malabar to Kerala

The modern state was created on November 1, 1956, during India’s reorganization of states largely along linguistic lines.

The new state brought together predominantly Malayalam-speaking regions, including much of the former Travancore-Cochin state, the Malabar region and Malayalam-speaking areas of South Canara. The creation of the state reflected the longstanding movement for a unified homeland for Malayalam-speaking people, often described historically as the movement for Aikya Kerala, or United Kerala. November 1 continues to be celebrated as Kerala Piravi, marking the birth of the modern state.

What Does ‘Keralam’ Mean?

The Malayalam name Keralam has been used for generations in literature, everyday speech and official Malayalam-language communication.

The precise historical origin of the word is the subject of different linguistic and historical interpretations, but the name has become inseparable from the region’s cultural and linguistic identity. For supporters of the change, the move is therefore less about adopting a new name and more about formally recognizing the name that Malayalis already use.

What Will Change?

The legislation principally changes the state’s official name from Kerala to Keralam in Union government usage and in relevant constitutional and statutory references.

Over time, the change is expected to be reflected in government records, official documents, maps, departments and other administrative references.

The change does not alter the state’s boundaries, capital or administrative structure. Thiruvananthapuram will continue to serve as the state capital.

More Than a Spelling Change

India has previously changed the official names of several states and cities to better reflect indigenous languages, pronunciation or historical identity. For Keralam, the latest decision carries particular cultural significance because Malayalam speakers have already been using the name for decades. The parliamentary approval effectively brings the English-language official identity of the state closer to its Malayalam identity. For Malayalis living across India and around the world, including the large Indian diaspora in the United States, “Keralam” may be a familiar name already. It is now on course to become the state’s formal national designation as well.