Central Cabinet Approves Name Change of Kerala to 'Keralam'

Cabinet Decision on Kerala's Name Change

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet has given its approval for the proposal to rename Kerala as 'Keralam'. Following this endorsement, the President of India will send the Kerala (Name Change) Bill, 2026 to the Kerala State Assembly for discussion, in accordance with Article 3 of the Constitution. Once the Kerala Assembly provides its feedback, the central government will proceed with further actions and seek the President's recommendation to present the Kerala (Name Change) Bill, 2026 in Parliament.

This name change comes ahead of the state assembly elections, although the Election Commission of India has yet to announce the election dates. Earlier this year in January, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the President of the Kerala BJP, had written to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressing support for the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government's initiative to rename the state as 'Keralam'. Chandrasekhar later thanked the Chief Minister for responding to his letter and shared on social media that the name 'Keralam' reflects the state's history, language, and roots.

He emphasized that restoring the original name is a step towards honoring our heritage. The BJP and NDA have consistently stood for the preservation of Kerala's traditions, culture, and beliefs. He further noted that some political parties in the state have a long history of violating these values and beliefs. Chandrasekhar stated that for them, 'Developed Kerala, Safe Kerala, and Protection of Faith' are not just slogans; they represent their mission. He also added that they will always support anything that is beneficial for Kerala and its people.

In his response, Chief Minister Vijayan mentioned that the original name of the state was 'Keralam', which was changed to 'Kerala' for administrative convenience during British rule. In his letter, Vijayan stated that the changes made are being rectified, and the original name is being restored, aligning with the state's culture.