The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal to rename the State of Kerala as “Keralam.” The decision has revived discussions on constitutional provisions under Article 3, linguistic identity, federalism, and historical evolution of Indian states.
For UPSC, APSC, and other State PCS aspirants, this topic is highly relevant under Polity, Indian Federalism, Constitutional Amendments, Current Affairs, and Modern Indian History.
In this article, we explain the constitutional procedure, historical background, linguistic roots, political developments, and exam relevance of the renaming of Kerala to Keralam in a simple and structured manner.
What is the Current Development?
Recently, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister approved the proposal to change the name of Kerala to “Keralam.”
Now, the President will refer the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the Kerala State Legislative Assembly under the Article 3 of the Constitution.
After the Assembly expresses its views, the Bill will be introduced in Parliament. If Parliament passes the Bill by a simple majority and the President gives assent, the name of the state will officially change. Therefore, the renaming process has entered the constitutional stage.
Constitutional Procedure for Changing the Name of a State:
The Constitution provides two ways to change the name of a state. These are based on Article 3 and Article 4 of the Constitution.
Relevant Constitutional Articles:
Article 1:
Defines India as a “Union of States” and lists the names of states and Union Territories in the First Schedule.
Article 3:
Empowers Parliament to form new states, alter boundaries, change areas and change the name of existing states. However, the Bill must be introduced on the recommendation of the President.
Article 4:
States that laws made under Articles 2 and 3 may amend the First and Fourth Schedules. Importantly, such laws are not considered Constitutional Amendments under Article 368.
Procedure to change the name of states:
Method 1: Initiated by the President (Central Government Route)
- Firstly, a Bill for renaming a state can be introduced in Parliament only on the recommendation of the President.
- Secondly, before introduction, the President refers the Bill to the concerned State Legislature for its views.
- However, the views of the State Legislature are not binding on Parliament.
- After the specified time expires, Parliament debates and passes the Bill by a simple majority.
- Finally, after Presidential assent, the name stands altered.
Method 2: Initiated by the State Legislature:
- Alternatively, the State Assembly may pass a resolution demanding a name change.
- Then, the Union Home Ministry prepares a proposal for the Union Cabinet.
- After Cabinet approval, a Bill is introduced in Parliament under Article 3.
- Again, Parliament passes it by simple majority, and the President gives assent.
Why Rename Kerala to Keralam?
Linguistic and Cultural Identity:
“Keralam” is the name of the state in the Malayalam language.
The demand argues that since states were reorganised on linguistic lines in 1956, the official name should reflect the native pronunciation.
Therefore, the renaming aims to strengthen cultural and linguistic identity.
Historical Context: Formation of Kerala:
- Firstly, Kerala was officially formed on 1 November 1956 under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
- Moreover, this date is celebrated every year as Kerala Piravi (Kerala Formation Day).
- Before Independence, Malayalam-speaking regions were politically divided among different administrative units:
- Malabar (under the Madras Presidency)
- Travancore
- Kochi
- In the 1920s, the Aikya Kerala Movement emerged and demanded the unification of Malayalam-speaking regions into a single state.
- Subsequently, the State Reorganisation Commission (1955), headed by Fazl Ali, examined the issue of linguistic reorganisation.
- Accordingly, the Commission recommended merging Malabar, Kochi, and Travancore to form the state of Kerala.
- Therefore, Kerala was created on linguistic principles, reflecting the broader policy of reorganising states based on language.
Origin of the Name “Kerala” and “Keralam”:
- Firstly, the earliest known reference to Kerala is found in Ashoka’s Rock Edict II (257 BCE). In this inscription, the term “Keralaputra” is mentioned. Many historians interpret this as referring to the Chera dynasty that ruled parts of present-day Kerala.
- Moreover, the term “Keralaputra” is generally understood to mean “son of Kerala,” indicating the existence of a distinct political or geographical identity even during the Mauryan period.
- Furthermore, several linguistic theories attempt to explain the origin of the name “Kerala” or “Keralam.”
- Some scholars link “Keralam” to the word “Cheram,” associated with the Chera kingdom.
- The root word “cher” is believed to mean “to join” or “to unite,” which may reflect the idea of a land formed by the joining of regions.
- The suffix “alam” means land or region, suggesting that “Keralam” refers to the land of the Cheras or the joined land.
- In addition, German missionary and scholar Hermann Gundert, who compiled the first Malayalam-English dictionary, described Keralam as Cheram. He referred to it as the region stretching between Gokarnam in the north and Kanyakumari in the south, indicating its historical-geographical extent.
- Therefore, the name “Kerala” or “Keralam” is not merely a modern administrative term. Instead, it has deep historical, cultural, and linguistic roots that trace back over two millennia.
Why Was the Resolution Moved Again?
The Kerala Assembly passed resolutions in 2023 and 2024 urging the Union government to change the name.
However, the earlier resolution sought changes in multiple constitutional schedules. Later, it was found that correction was required only in the First Schedule.
Therefore, a fresh resolution was adopted to remove discrepancies.
This shows procedural precision in constitutional matters.
Broader Significance of the Renaming:
- Firstly, the proposal reflects India’s commitment to linguistic federalism, as states were originally reorganised on linguistic lines.
- Secondly, it highlights the flexibility of the Indian Constitution, which allows Parliament to alter the name of a state through a simple legislative process under Article 3.
- Moreover, the renaming demonstrates how cultural and linguistic identity continues to influence administrative and political decisions in contemporary India.
- However, critics argue that Parliament’s power to change a state’s name without binding consent from the State Legislature may weaken the spirit of cooperative federalism.
- Therefore, the issue goes beyond symbolism and connects constitutional law with broader debates in political theory, federalism, and Centre-State relations.
Conclusion: Renaming of Kerala to Keralam and Constitutional Federalism
The proposal to rename Kerala as Keralam represents more than a symbolic change. It reflects historical continuity, linguistic pride, and constitutional procedure under Article 3 and Article 4.
For UPSC, APSC, and State PCS aspirants, understanding the procedure of renaming of state, Article 3 and State Reorganisation Act 1956, is extremely important. This topic strengthens clarity in Indian Polity, Federalism, Constitutional Law, and Current Affairs. These are the core areas in civil services examinations.
Mains Practice Question:
“The proposal to rename Kerala as ‘Keralam’ highlights both the flexibility of the Indian Constitution and debates surrounding cooperative federalism.” Discuss in the light of Article 3, linguistic reorganisation of states and Centre-State relations.
Sources:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2232093®=3&lang=2
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FAQs
Under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, Parliament can change the name of a state by passing a law. The Bill must be introduced on the recommendation of the President and referred to the concerned State Legislature for its views. However, the State’s opinion is not binding. The Bill requires only a simple majority in Parliament.
No, renaming a state does not require a Constitutional Amendment under Article 368. As per Article 4, laws made under Article 3 are not treated as Constitutional Amendments and can be passed by a simple majority.
The renaming aims to reflect the state’s linguistic and cultural identity, as “Keralam” is the name of the state in Malayalam. The demand aligns with the principle of linguistic reorganisation of states (1956) and Kerala Piravi.
The earliest reference appears in Ashoka’s Rock Edict II (257 BCE), which mentions “Keralaputra.” Scholars link the name to the Chera dynasty, and linguistic roots suggest that “Keralam” means the land of the Cheras or a joined land.
