Kerala has officially moved closer to its Malayalam identity. President Droupadi Murmu has given assent to the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, formally changing the state’s constitutional name from Kerala to Keralam. The legislation received parliamentary approval earlier this month, with the Lok Sabha passing it on August 11 and the Rajya Sabha clearing it on August 12.
The name change follows a long-standing demand from the Kerala Legislative Assembly, which argued that “Keralam” is the name used for the state in Malayalam, while “Kerala” has remained its English and constitutional name. The change does not alter the state’s boundaries, administration, or status. Instead, it aligns the state’s official constitutional name with the name used for it in Malayalam.
Kerala Keralam News: What Has Changed?
The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Act, 2026 officially changes the state’s name to Keralam and amends the First Schedule of the Constitution under Article 3 to reflect the change. The Government has also published the Act in the Gazette of India.
This marks a major development in the Kerala new name 2026 process. However, the legislation provides that it will come into force on a date appointed by the Central Government through a notification in the Official Gazette. This means the legal process has been completed, while the formal implementation will follow the appointed date.
Key developments at a glance
| Development | Date |
| Kerala Assembly resolution seeking name change | June 24, 2024 |
| Union Cabinet approved proposal | February 24, 2026 |
| Bill introduced in Lok Sabha | August 10, 2026 |
| Lok Sabha passed Bill | August 11, 2026 |
| Rajya Sabha passed the Bill | August 12, 2026 |
| Presidential assent | August 17, 2026 |
The Union Cabinet approved the proposal in February 2026, after which the constitutional process proceeded. The government had said the President would refer the Bill to the Kerala Legislative Assembly for its views before the proposal was taken up in Parliament.
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Why Has Kerala Been Renamed Keralam?
The principal reason behind the change is linguistic and cultural identity.
The Kerala Legislative Assembly passed a unanimous resolution on June 24, 2024, urging the Centre to amend the First Schedule of the Constitution and replace “Kerala” with “Keralam”. This was preceded by another unanimous resolution in August 2023.
The state government’s argument was straightforward: Keralam is the Malayalam name of the state, and using it in official constitutional records would better reflect the linguistic identity of its people. The proposal was subsequently referred to the state legislature, which again supported the change unanimously.
Understanding the Kerala state name also means understanding the linguistic and cultural identity behind the name Keralam.
Where Do the Names Kerala and Keralam Come From?
The history of the name goes back centuries, and its exact origin is still debated.
One of the earliest references is found in Emperor Ashoka’s Rock Edict II, dated to around 257 BCE. It mentions “Ketalaputra” or “Keralaputra”, generally associated with the Chera kingdom. This forms an important part of the wider kerala name origin.
There are several theories about the evolution of the name. Linguist and German missionary Hermann Gundert noted a possible connection between the Kannada word “keram” and “cheram”, referring historically to the coastal region. Another theory links the name to Old Tamil roots, with “cher” interpreted as “to join” and “alam” meaning land or region.
The meaning of the word keralam is therefore closely connected to the Malayalam name historically used for the region.
How Did Modern Kerala Come Into Existence?
The modern state emerged from the movement to unite Malayalam-speaking regions.
Before Independence, Malayalam-speaking communities were spread across areas including the princely states of Travancore and Cochin and the Malabar district of the Madras Presidency. The Aikya Kerala or United Kerala movement, which gained momentum during the 1920s, called for these Malayalam-speaking regions to be brought together.
Travancore and Cochin were merged in 1949 to form Travancore-Cochin. Later, the linguistic reorganisation of Indian states created the modern state of Kerala on November 1, 1956, following the recommendations of the States Reorganisation Commission.
Malabar district and Kasaragod taluk became part of the new state, while some southern areas of Travancore were transferred to Tamil Nadu.
Interestingly, the state was called Keralam in Malayalam from the beginning, while Kerala remained the name used in English and in the Constitution. The 2026 legislation effectively closes that gap.
What Does Keralam Mean for Travelers?
For travelers, the change from Kerala to Keralam is primarily official and cultural, not a change to the destination itself. Popular places such as Munnar, Wayanad, Kochi, Alleppey, Varkala and Thekkady remain unchanged.
As the new name is implemented, travellers may gradually see Keralam replacing Kerala on government tourism websites, official documents, maps and other travel-related platforms. During the transition, both names may continue to appear across booking and information platforms.
Will Travel Plans or Bookings Be Affected?
No immediate changes are expected for tourists. Existing flight, train, hotel, and tour bookings mentioning Kerala remain valid, as the name change does not alter the state’s borders, destinations, or travel infrastructure.
The change is significant mainly because Keralam is the Malayalam name traditionally used for the state. The legislation brings the official constitutional name closer to the state’s linguistic identity. For international and domestic travellers, the practical takeaway is simple: if you encounter “Keralam” on official travel platforms in the coming months, it refers to the same destination previously known as Kerala.
The state’s tourism appeal, from backwaters and beaches to hill stations, wildlife and cultural experiences, remains unchanged.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the state is being renamed Keralam following presidential assent, with implementation beginning after the government’s official notification.
Yes, Keralam has long been the Malayalam name for the state, while Kerala was used in English and constitutional records.
Kerala is being renamed Keralam to recognize its Malayalam linguistic identity and bring the official constitutional name in line with local usage.
Keralam is the Malayalam name of the state, reflecting its linguistic, cultural, and historical identity.
The new official name is Keralam. The kerala new name 2026 change aligns the constitutional name with its Malayalam identity.