Kerala to Keralam Renaming Proposal (Completely Explained)

Context

The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal to rename the State of Kerala as “Keralam.” The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 will be processed under Article 3 of the Constitution.

Q1. What is the constitutional procedure for renaming a State?

1. Under Article 3 of the Constitution, Parliament has the power to alter state names, boundaries, or areas.
2. Procedure:
   1. Proposal initiated by the State government.
   2. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) conducts examinations.
   3. Consultation with:
      1. Intelligence Bureau
      2. Survey of India
      3. Registrar General of India
      4. Department of Posts
      5. Ministry of Railways
   4. The President refers the Bill to the State Legislature for views.
   5. Parliament debates and passes the Bill.
   6. Presidential assent and official notification.
3. Key feature: Parliament is not bound by the State Legislature’s opinion.

Q2. Why is Kerala seeking to be renamed as Keralam?

1. Linguistic Identity
   1. In Malayalam, the state is called “Keralam.”
   2. Kerala was formed on 1 November 1956 after linguistic reorganisation.
   3. Kerala Piravi Day commemorates this formation.
2. Constitutional Correction
   1. The First Schedule of the Constitution lists the state as “Kerala.”
   2. The Assembly argued that this differs from native linguistic usage.
3. Earlier Technical Issue
   1. A 2023 resolution attempted changes across all Eighth Schedule languages.
   2. Technical discrepancies led to a revised, focused resolution in 2024.
4. The objective is alignment between constitutional nomenclature and regional identity.

Q3. What is the historical origin of the name ‘Keralam’?

1. Multiple historical interpretations exist:
   1. Ashoka’s Rock Edict II (257 BCE) refers to “Keralaputra.”
   2. Linked to the ancient Chera dynasty.
   3. Derived from “Cheram,” meaning the land of the Cheras.
   4. “Alam” in Dravidian languages refers to land or region.
2. Aikya Kerala Movement
   1. Began in the 1920s demanding unification of Malayalam-speaking regions: Malabar, Kochi and Travancore.
   2. Travancore and Kochi merged in 1949.
   3. State Reorganisation Commission (Fazl Ali Commission) recommended Kerala’s formation in 1956.
3. The name “Keralam” reflects civilisational continuity.

Q4. What are the administrative and federal dimensions of this change?

1. Administrative Implications
   1. Updating government records.
   2. Revising official documents and maps.
   3. Educational and survey adjustments.
   4. Railway, postal, and banking documentation changes.
2. Federal Structure
   1. Demonstrates cooperative federalism:
      1. The state initiates resolution.
      2. The centre examines and approves.
      3. Parliament legislates.
3. The renaming process reinforces constitutional federal mechanisms.

Q5. What concerns and precedents exist regarding state renaming?

1. Administrative Challenges
   1. Cost of document updates.
   2. Legal transitions in official contracts.
   3. International and diplomatic documentation changes.
2. Political Dimension
   1. Timing ahead of state elections invites political interpretation.
   2. Similar attempts elsewhere: West Bengal’s proposal to rename it as “Bangla” was rejected due to similarity concerns.
3. Name changes require careful legal and administrative coordination.

Q6. What is the broader significance of renaming Kerala as Keralam?

1. Cultural Significance
   1. Strengthens linguistic federalism.
   2. Aligns identity with regional language.
   3. Symbolically corrects colonial-era anglicisation.
2. Constitutional Symbolism
   1. Reflects the dynamic nature of First Schedule adjustments.
   2. Affirms pluralistic national identity.
   3. Recognises cultural diversity within unity.
3. The change is symbolic but constitutionally substantive.

Conclusion

The proposal to rename Kerala as Keralam represents a symbolic assertion of linguistic identity within India’s constitutional framework. The process underscores how constitutional mechanisms accommodate regional aspirations within a unified democratic structure.