Kerala To Keralam: Amit Shah To Introduce Name Change Bill In Lok Sabha

Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to introduce the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha today. This significant legislative step seeks to officially rename the state as 'Keralam' in the First Schedule of the Constitution of India. The move follows a formal approval by the Union Cabinet and a previous unanimous resolution passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly. The government aims to align the state's official English name with its traditional Malayalam nomenclature, which has long been a demand of regional advocates.

The demand for the name change is rooted in the linguistic history of the state and the struggle for a united Kerala. During the independence movement and the subsequent reorganization of states in 1956, the demand for a 'United Kerala' for Malayalam speakers was prominent. The state assembly passed the resolution urging the Centre to amend the name to 'Keralam' under Article 3 of the Constitution. This article empowers the Indian Parliament to alter the name, area, or boundaries of any existing state through a simple legislative process.

Once the bill is passed by both houses of Parliament and receives Presidential assent, all official records, including those at the national and international levels, will reflect the name 'Keralam'. This includes changes in government documents, maps, and judicial records. For the average Indian, this represents a major symbolic shift in recognizing regional linguistic identity within the federal structure. Observers will now watch for the debate in the Lok Sabha to see if any other states propose similar linguistic adjustments to their nomenclature.