REGULATORY · INDIA
India federal approval to rename Kerala state to “Keralam”
Change
India’s Union Cabinet approved renaming the State of Kerala to “Keralam” on Feb. 24, 2026, initiating the Article 3 process via the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026.
Why it matters
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the Union Cabinet’s approval to change the state’s name from “Kerala” to “Keralam.” The next binding step is the President referring the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the Kerala Legislative Assembly for its views under Article 3’s proviso. After the Assembly’s views are received, the Union government proceeds to obtain the President’s recommendation for introduction of the Bill in Parliament. If enacted, the change would standardize “Keralam” as the official name, triggering updates across official documents, legal references, and administrative databases that currently use “Kerala.”
Implications
- • Article 3 renaming process is triggered; state assembly views become a required step
- • Official records and legal references will require name updates once enacted
- • Government forms, databases, and intergovernmental correspondence face re-labeling work
- • Public-facing identity and branding of state agencies will shift to “Keralam”
Who is affected
- • Government of Kerala departments and state public-sector entities
- • Union government ministries/agencies maintaining official registries and records
- • Courts, legal publishers, and compliance teams referencing state name in documents
- • Businesses and financial institutions using “Kerala” in KYC, contracts, and filings
Source
Read full article on The Hindu →
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