Tue Feb 24 10:32:21 UTC 2026: # Kerala Set to Officially Become “Keralam” After Union Cabinet Approval

The Story:
The Union Cabinet has approved the renaming of the State of Kerala to Keralam, as announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on February 24, 2026. This decision follows a resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly on June 24, 2024, urging the Union government to make the name change in all languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. The move comes ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections expected in April-May 2026.

Key Points:

  • The Kerala Assembly initially passed a resolution to rename the state to “Keralam” on June 24, 2024.
  • The Ministry of Home Affairs suggested technical changes to the first resolution, leading to a second resolution being passed.
  • Pinarayi Vijayan, the Kerala Chief Minister, advocated for the name change to reflect the state’s name in Malayalam.
  • The Union Cabinet approved the renaming on February 24, 2026.
  • The President of India will refer the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the State Legislative Assembly of Kerala for expressing its views under proviso to Article 3 of the Constitution of India.
  • The Department of Legal Affairs and Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice have concurred with the proposal.
  • The move is happening before the Kerala Assembly elections.

Critical Analysis:
The timing of the Union Cabinet’s approval, just before the Kerala Assembly elections in April-May 2026, suggests a potential political motivation. Approving a long-standing request from the state government could be seen as a gesture to gain favor with voters. The fact that the Ministry of Home Affairs initially requested technical changes, delaying the process, adds to this interpretation. Shashi Tharoor’s question (“What happens to Keralite now?”) points to the potential social impacts and identity concerns that this change may bring.

Key Takeaways:

  • The renaming of Kerala to Keralam is a significant symbolic move reflecting the state’s linguistic identity.
  • The Union Government’s approval of the name change after a considerable period and right before elections suggests potential political considerations.
  • The process highlights the constitutional procedures involved in altering state names in India, as outlined in Article 3.

Impact Analysis:

  • The official adoption of “Keralam” is likely to strengthen the state’s cultural identity and pride, particularly among Malayalam speakers.
  • There may be some initial confusion and adjustment as people adapt to the new official name in English.
  • The renaming could set a precedent for other states seeking to officially adopt names that better reflect their linguistic or cultural identities.

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