Keralam Becomes Official: Kerala’s New Identity Takes Effect
By Rajni Rani, Chief Editor
The Union Cabinet of India, chaired by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the proposal from the Kerala state government to officially change the name of the state from Kerala to Keralam. This decision came after the Kerala Legislative Assembly had earlier passed a resolution (unanimously in June 2024) requesting the name change to better reflect the state’s Malayalam language and cultural identity. The Cabinet’s approval is a key constitutional step under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, which allows Parliament to alter a state’s name — but only after the President refers a Bill on the change to the state assembly for its views, and then Parliament passes the law. Following the Cabinet nod on 24 February, the President will now send the “Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026” to the Kerala Assembly and, after that process is complete, Parliament must approve it for Keralam to become the official name across all legal and constitutional records. This move also carries symbolic and cultural significance and comes ahead of the state’s assembly elections later in 2026.
EARLIER —
Dubai, UAE- The state of Kerala has moved a step closer toward being officially known as “Keralam” following a formal resolution passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly. The resolution urges the Government of India to approve the name change, reflecting the state’s name in its native Malayalam language.
The proposal is rooted in cultural and linguistic identity. “Keralam” is the traditional Malayalam name for Kerala, widely used in regional literature, governance, and public discourse. State leaders argue that adopting “Keralam” would better represent the region’s historical and linguistic heritage.
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While the resolution marks an important symbolic step, the change is not yet legally binding. Altering the name of an Indian state requires approval at the national level, including a constitutional amendment passed by Parliament. Until that process is completed, “Kerala” remains the official name recognized by the Constitution of India.
Name change initiatives are not uncommon in India, where several cities and states have updated names to align with local languages and identities. Supporters of the move say the transition to “Keralam” follows this broader pattern of cultural reaffirmation.
For now, the proposal awaits consideration by the central government, which will determine whether “Keralam” becomes the state’s new official name.
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THE GREAT MALYALI CONNECT WITH GULF AND UAE
The deep-rooted connection between Kerala and the Gulf, particularly the UAE, is both historic and economically significant. The UAE is home to one of the largest expatriate communities from Kerala, with Malayalis playing a prominent role across sectors ranging from healthcare and education to construction, retail, and entrepreneurship. Decades of migration have created strong cultural, social, and financial ties, with remittances from the Gulf forming a vital pillar of Kerala’s economy. If the state is officially renamed “Keralam” the practical impact on residents in the UAE and wider Gulf is expected to be largely symbolic. Official documents, institutional references, and business branding may gradually adopt the new name, but the identity, mobility, and economic linkages of the diaspora are unlikely to change. Instead, the shift could reinforce cultural pride among expatriates, many of whom already use “Keralam” in everyday language, media, and community narratives.
editor@emiratesreporter.com
