Cabinet Greenlights Kerala to Keralam Shift: President's Referral Next

President's Role Under Article 3

Upon Cabinet approval, the President of India will refer the legislation proposed -- the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 -- to the Kerala Legislative Assembly for its views as provided under Article 3 of the Constitution. 

Under the law any Bill which requires the changed name of a State to go into Parliament is only on the recommendation of the President. To the extent that any proposed amendment has an effect or any effect that touches on the name of a state or its boundaries, the bill must be referred by the President to the relevant State Legislature to express its views within a specified period. 

Vijayan's Demand in All Languages

On June 25, 2024, the Kerala assembly voted unanimously on the resolution, calling on the central government to formally rename the state to Keralam. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called for the Union government to change the name of the state to Keralam in all the languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Vijayan cited the use of Kerala across the First Schedule of the Constitution and that the name of the state is 'Keralam' in Malayalam, which is an integral part of the state's history. He also articulated the demand to create a united Malayalam-speaking state since the days of the national freedom struggle.

Next: Parliament Bill After Views

The proposal was reviewed by the Ministry of Home Affairs after the State government formally requested it. The draft Cabinet note was circulated to the Department of Legal Affairs and the Legislative Department in the Ministry of Law and Justice with confirmation from both entities on the proposal.
The Union Home Minister Amit Shah approved this before the matter went into motion with approval. After the Kerala Legislative Assembly has expressed its opinion the Union Government will consider what comes next: a proposed bill for the Parliament introducing Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026.