Parliament Passes Bill Renaming Kerala to Keralam
Polity & Governance · Thursday, 13 August 2026
Parliament has passed the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, officially changing the official name of the state from Kerala to Keralam. The law amends Entry 15 of the First Schedule of the Constitution under Article 3 powers.
Quick highlights
- Passed as the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 following a unanimous State Assembly resolution.
- Enacted under Article 3 of the Constitution of India.
- Amends Entry 15 of the First Schedule to change 'Kerala' to 'Keralam'.
- Aligns official state nomenclature with Malayalam cultural identity and heritage.
- Requires simple majority in Parliament following Presidential reference to State Legislature.
Context
Parliament passed the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, implementing the unanimous resolution submitted by the Kerala State Legislative Assembly.
Key Facts
Article 3 empowers Parliament to form new States, alter boundaries, or change the name of any existing State. The legislation alters Entry 15 in the First Schedule of the Constitution, changing the official legal spelling to 'Keralam'.
Significance
Reflects cultural federalism by respecting local linguistic identity and historical nomenclature within the constitutional framework.
Challenges / Way Forward
Following parliamentary enactment, administrative records, official seals, and central gazette notifications will be updated systematically.
Exam Angle
GS Paper II (Polity - Article 3 procedure, Constitutional Amendments, First Schedule).
Remember this
- Constitutional Power: Article 3 of the Constitution.
- Schedule Amended: Entry 15, First Schedule.
- Parliamentary Procedure: Simple majority under Article 3 (not deemed Article 368 amendment).
- Key Objective: Aligning state legal name with native Malayalam pronunciation.
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