General

Kerala to Be Renamed ‘Keralam’? Centre Clears Historic Proposal Ahead of 2026 Polls

Feb 24, 2026

In a historic and widely discussed move, the Union Cabinet of India has approved a proposal to change the official name of the state of Kerala to “Keralam.” The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the new Seva Teerth Prime Minister’s Office in New Delhi.

This proposal fulfils a long-standing cultural and linguistic demand by political leaders and many residents in the state to align the official name with the way the state is referred to in Malayalam — “Keralam.”

Background: How the Name Change Movement Started

The Kerala Legislative Assembly has pushed for this name change since 2023, passing unanimous resolutions first in August 2023 and again on June 24, 2024, after refinements were suggested by the Union Home Ministry.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has been the key proponent, arguing that “Keralam” — not “Kerala” — is the state’s true historical and Malayalam-language name.
The Assembly’s resolution invoked Article 3 of the Constitution of India, which governs amendment of state names and requires both state and central approval.

Supporters say “Kerala” emerged as a colonial-era variant that does not reflect the authentic Malayalam pronunciation.

Political and Cultural Context

Timing and Political Resonance

The Cabinet decision comes months before Kerala’s Assembly elections expected before May 2026, making it politically significant.

Cross-Party Support

Unusually, the push has seen bipartisan backing within the state:

The ruling Left Democratic Front has driven the resolution.
The state’s BJP leadership, including chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar, has publicly supported renaming for cultural reasons.

Cultural Identity

The name “Keralam” resonates with many as an assertion of linguistic heritage, connecting to the state’s identity as a Malayalam-speaking region.

**What It Doesn’t Change**

The name change is largely symbolic; it does not alter:

Administrative boundaries
Governance systems
Legal status of documents already issued (unless future updates are made)

Historical Precedent

This move is part of a broader pattern in India of renaming states and cities to reflect local language and heritage, similar to how other regions have been renamed in recent years (e.g., Gurugram, Prayagraj).