Cabinet approval to rename Kerala reflects will of people of state: PM Modi
Times of India
by DIPAK K DASHFebruary 24, 2026
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Indian Cabinet has approved the proposal to rename the state of Kerala as Keralam, reflecting the long-standing demand of the state's people. This decision aligns with a popular movement advocating for the name change since the state was officially established in 1956. The process involves the President referring the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the state legislative assembly under Article 3 of the Constitution, following which the Assembly's views will be considered before introducing the Bill in Parliament.
The renaming proposal gained momentum after the state government requested the Central Government twice. In 2023 and 2024, the Kerala Assembly passed resolutions urging constitutional changes to reflect "Keralam" as the official name. This demand traces back to the pre-independence era when there was a push for a united Malayalam-speaking region. The Cabinet note highlighted that while "Kerala" was chosen at formation, "Keralam" remains the preferred name among locals. Similar past changes include Orissa becoming Odisha in 2011.
The decision has sparked discussions on its potential political implications, with some speculating it could influence upcoming elections.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/24/2026