News: The Union Cabinet approved the proposal to rename Kerala as Keralam and initiated the constitutional process through the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026.
About Kerala as “Keralam”
- Kerala as Keralam refers to the proposal to officially change the constitutional name of the State from Kerala to its Malayalam name, Keralam.
- Historical context
- Ancient Origin:
- The earliest reference to the region appears in Rock Edict II of Emperor Ashoka in 257 BCE as “Keralaputra,” which is linked to the Chera dynasty.
- The term Keralam evolved from Cheram or Cheralam, where cher means to join and alam means land or region, indicating an integrated land.
- Era of freedom struggle
- During the national independence struggle, there was a strong demand for the formation of a unified State for Malayalam-speaking people.
- This political demand later developed into the Aikya Kerala movement for unification.
- State Formation: The State Reorganisation Commission recommended creation of Kerala based on linguistic identity.
- Kerala was officially formed on 1 November 1956, which is celebrated as Kerala Piravi Day.
- Ancient Origin:
- Constitutional naming: Despite linguistic origins, the Constitution recorded the name Kerala instead of Keralam.
- The Kerala Assembly later requested correction of the constitutional name to reflect linguistic identity and historical continuity.
- Constitutional basis
- Article 3 of the Constitution empowers Parliament to alter the name of any existing State by law.
- The First Schedule of the Constitution contains the names and territorial boundaries of States and Union Territories.
- The name change requires amendment of the First Schedule after parliamentary approval and Presidential assent.
- The Bill can be introduced in Parliament only with the prior recommendation of the President.
- The State Legislature is consulted, but Parliament is not bound by its views.
- The Bill requires a simple majority in Parliament and is not treated as a constitutional amendment under Article 368.
- Procedure followed
- State resolution: The Kerala Legislative Assembly passed a resolution in June 2024 requesting the Central Government to change the State’s name from Kerala to Keralam.
- Cabinet approval: The Union Cabinet approved the proposal and cleared the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 for further constitutional process.
- Presidential reference: The President will refer the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the Kerala Legislative Assembly for its views.
- Parliamentary passage: After receiving the Assembly’s views, the Bill will be introduced in Parliament with the President’s recommendation and passed by simple majority.
- Amendment: After passage and Presidential assent, the First Schedule will be amended, and the new name Keralam will become legally valid.
