Cabinet nod to rename Kerala as 'Keralam'

NEW DELHI: The Union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday gave its consent to rename Kerala as Keralam, fulfilling a decades-long demand from the southern state that goes to the polls this summer.

- Smriti Kak Ramachandran

After the cabinet’s nod, the President of India will refer a bill, the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, to the state legislative assembly for its views, a government statement said.

On the receipt of the views of the Kerala assembly, the Union government will seek the recommendation of the President for introduction of the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 for alteration of name of state of ‘Kerala’ as ‘Keralam’ in Parliament, the statement added.

“The decision of the Union Cabinet on alteration of the name of Kerala to Keralam reflects the will of the people of the state. It is in line with our efforts to strengthen the connect with our glorious culture,” Modi posted on X.

The decision was taken at the first meeting of the Union cabinet at Seva Teerth, a new complex that houses the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

The Communist Party of India (CPI), part of the ruling alliance in the state, welcomed the decision and congratulated the “people of Keralam”.