The much-awaited Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, renaming Kerala as Keralam, has been passed by both the Houses of the Parliament. The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill on Wednesday with a voice vote after it was cleared by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
Now, amendments will be made in the First Schedule to the Constitution by modifying the name of the state of Kerala as Keralam in accordance with Article 3 of the Constitution.
As per the statement of objects and reasons, the Bill provides for such alteration of the name of the state of Kerala and contains necessary amendments to the provisions of the Constitution and also consequential provisions.
The story of Kerala’s name change began in 2024 when the state Assembly passed a resolution, and the state government forwarded it to the Centre in June 2024, requesting it to bring a law to rename the state of Kerala as Keralam.
A bill was drafted and sent to the President of India. The President referred it to the state legislature for opinions. The Kerala Assembly later adopted a unanimous resolution in favour of the bill, and thus the ball was sent to the Centre’s court for legislative action.
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