The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal to officially rename the State of Kerala as Keralam, marking a significant development in the State’s identity and administrative history. The announcement was made on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, confirming that the Centre has accepted the State Assembly’s request.

The decision follows a unanimous resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly on June 24, 2024, urging the Union government to change the State’s name from Kerala to Keralam. The Assembly had later passed the resolution again after incorporating technical corrections suggested by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

With the Union Cabinet’s approval, the renaming process now moves closer to formal implementation. The timing of the announcement is also politically significant, as it comes ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections expected to be held in April-May 2026.

Background of the Proposal

The demand to rename Kerala as Keralam has been rooted in linguistic and cultural identity. The term “Keralam” is the name used in the Malayalam language to refer to the State. Supporters of the change argue that the official English name “Kerala” does not fully reflect the State’s original linguistic identity.

On June 24, 2024, the Kerala Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution requesting the Centre to officially rename the State. The resolution emphasised that the State is known as Keralam in Malayalam and that aligning the official name with its local usage would better represent its cultural heritage.

The resolution was supported across party lines, reflecting rare political consensus in the State Assembly.

Why the Resolution Was Passed Twice

Although the Assembly had passed the resolution in 2024, the Ministry of Home Affairs reviewed it and suggested certain technical modifications. These modifications were procedural and related to the wording and legal format required for such proposals.

Following the suggestions, the Kerala Assembly passed the resolution again, ensuring that all required corrections were incorporated. This cleared the way for the Union Cabinet to consider and approve the proposal.

Union Cabinet Approval

On February 24, 2026, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Union Cabinet had approved the renaming of Kerala to Keralam. With this decision, the Centre has formally accepted the State’s request.

Renaming a State requires approval at the Union level under the constitutional framework governing changes in the names of States. The Union Cabinet’s approval is a critical step in the process.

The move now paves the way for further formalities, which may include parliamentary procedures to amend relevant legal references, if required.

Political Timing

The approval comes just months before the Kerala Assembly elections expected in April-May 2026. While the resolution was originally passed in 2024, the Cabinet decision’s timing has drawn attention due to the upcoming elections.

Political observers note that symbolic decisions related to identity and cultural recognition often carry electoral significance. However, since the original resolution was unanimously supported by all parties in the Kerala Assembly, the move reflects a broad political consensus rather than a single-party initiative.

Cultural and Linguistic Significance

The name “Keralam” holds deep cultural resonance. In Malayalam, the State has always been referred to as Keralam. The change seeks to align the official English name with its Malayalam equivalent.

Several Indian cities and States have undergone name changes in recent decades to reflect linguistic authenticity and historical roots. Advocates argue that such changes reinforce regional identity and correct colonial-era or anglicised spellings.

For many residents, the transition from Kerala to Keralam is viewed as a restoration of linguistic pride.

Administrative Implications

Renaming a State involves administrative adjustments. Official documents, signage, government communications, and legal references may need updates once the change becomes fully effective.

However, such transitions are typically phased and managed systematically to avoid disruption.

It remains to be seen when the new name will formally come into effect in official central records, but the Cabinet’s approval marks a decisive step forward.

Legal Framework

Under the Indian Constitution, Parliament has the authority to alter the name of a State. While the State Assembly can pass a resolution recommending the change, final approval rests with the Union government and Parliament.

The process generally involves:

• State Assembly resolution

• Review by the Ministry of Home Affairs

• Union Cabinet approval

• Parliamentary approval through legislation if required

With the Cabinet now having cleared the proposal, the remaining steps are procedural.

Public Reaction

The renaming proposal has historically received broad support within Kerala. The unanimous passage of the Assembly resolution indicates cross-party backing.

Public discourse around the change has largely focused on cultural representation rather than administrative concerns. For many, Keralam is not a new name but the original and commonly used one in Malayalam.

Opposition to the move has been minimal, largely because the proposal originated within the State Assembly itself.

Broader Context of Name Changes

India has witnessed several name changes over the years, aimed at aligning official names with local language pronunciation or historical context. Such changes are often symbolic but carry emotional and cultural weight.

The Kerala to Keralam transition follows this broader trend of linguistic alignment in official nomenclature.

Electoral Landscape

With Assembly elections approaching in April-May 2026, political narratives in the State are beginning to take shape. While the renaming move was initiated earlier, its approval now adds a fresh development to the political landscape.

All major political parties in Kerala had supported the resolution, reducing the scope for controversy. Nonetheless, the announcement is likely to feature in political discussions in the coming weeks.

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