The Union Cabinet has approved changing the official name of Kerala to “Keralam”, matching the name used by locals in Malayalam. The move follows requests from the Kerala Legislative Assembly, which passed resolutions asking the central government to update the state’s name in the Constitution.
The Cabinet approved the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, which will now go to the state assembly for its opinion. After that, the Bill will be introduced in Parliament. Once Parliament passes it and the President gives approval, “Keralam” will become the state’s official name in all government records, maps, and legal documents.
Supporters say the change reflects the state’s culture, history, and language. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other leaders have highlighted that residents have long used “Keralam” in daily speech, and the update aligns official records with local usage.
The decision comes just months before the Kerala Assembly elections expected in April–May 2026. While the change is mostly symbolic, it holds cultural and political importance.
With Cabinet approval now in place, the state is set to formally embrace Keralam as its official name, marking a new chapter in its history and identity. The Bill’s passage in Parliament will complete the process, ensuring that the name used by millions of residents for generations is reflected in all official records.
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