The "Keralam" Identity Shift: Kerala Renamed Under Article 3 | UPSC Notes 2026
**UPSC Relevance:** Prelims (Polity – Article 3, Constitutional Provisions) | Mains GS Paper 2 (Federalism, Centre–State Relations, Cultural Identity, Governance)
🗞️ What Happened? — The News in Brief
On February 24, 2026, the Union Cabinet of India approved the proposal to rename the state of Kerala to "Keralam" — a change that aligns the state's official name with its Malayalam-language roots. The decision was announced by Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, following the Cabinet meeting.
This approval sets in motion a formal constitutional process under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, through which the state's name will be officially amended in the First Schedule and Fourth Schedule of the Constitution.
💡 **Key Quote — PM Modi:** *"Cabinet approval to rename Kerala reflects will of people of state."*
📜 Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Kerala Legislative Assembly first passes a resolution urging Centre to rename the state as Keralam |
| June 24, 2024 | Kerala Assembly unanimously passes a second resolution for renaming, moved by CM Pinarayi Vijayan |
| 2025 | Home Minister Amit Shah approves draft Cabinet note; referred to Ministry of Law & Justice |
| Dept. of Legal Affairs + Legislative Dept. | Both departments concur with the renaming proposal |
| February 24, 2026 | Union Cabinet approves the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 |
| Next Step | President of India to refer Bill to State Assembly; then to Parliament |
🌿 Historical Roots: Why "Keralam" and Not "Kerala"?
The demand for "Keralam" is not a recent political invention — it is a reclamation of historical identity. The name Keralam is how the state is known in Malayalam, the classical language of its people. The anglicised "Kerala" was a legacy of colonial administrative records.
🔤 Etymology of the Name
Historians trace the name through several competing but complementary theories:
- Cheralam Theory (Most Credible): The region was originally Cheralam — "Land of the Cheras" (Chera = ancient dynasty + Alam = land/region). Phonetic evolution over centuries turned Cheralam → Keralam.
- Ashoka's Rock Edict (3rd Century BCE): Emperor Ashoka's Rock Edict II mentions a southern ruler as "Keralaputra" — one of the earliest recorded references to the name, dating to ~250 BCE.
- Coconut Land Theory (Folk Etymology): Kera (coconut tree in Malayalam) + Alam (land) = "Land of Coconuts." While popular, most historians regard this as folk etymology rather than formal derivation.
- Parasurama Legend: According to Hindu mythology, the land was reclaimed from the sea by Parasurama (Cherna = added/reclaimed + Alam = land), giving it the name Parasurama Kshetram or "God's Own Country."
**The key point for UPSC:** In *Malayalam*, the state has **always** been called *Keralam*. The form "Kerala" entered official records via colonial English transliteration, dropping the final *-m*. The renaming corrects this linguistic gap.
🗺️ How Kerala Was Formed — The 1956 Background
Understanding this renaming requires understanding why Kerala was created in the first place. The state of Kerala was carved out on November 1, 1956 under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 — a landmark legislation that redrew India's internal map largely along linguistic lines.
- The erstwhile states/regions of Travancore-Cochin, Malabar district (from Madras State), and Kasaragod taluk (from South Canara) were merged to form a unified state for Malayalam-speaking people.
- This was the culmination of the "United Kerala" or "Aikya Kerala" movement — a popular demand for a single political unit for all Malayalis.
- Renaming the state Keralam is therefore seen as completing the linguistic federalism promise of 1956 — ensuring that the very name of the state reflects the language and identity upon which it was founded.
⚖️ The Constitutional Framework — Article 3 Explained
This is the most important section for UPSC. Renaming a state in India is a parliamentary process governed by Article 3 of the Constitution of India.
📖 What Does Article 3 Say?
Article 3 empowers Parliament to:
- (a) Form a new state by separation of territory from any state or by uniting two or more states/parts of states
- (b) Increase the area of any state
- (c) Diminish the area of any state
- (d) Alter the boundaries of any state
- (e) Alter the name of any state ← Relevant here
⚠️ **Important Proviso:** A Bill under Article 3 **can only be introduced in Parliament** on the **prior recommendation of the President of India**. The President, before making such a recommendation, must refer the Bill to the **concerned State Legislature** to obtain its **views** within a specified time period.
🔗 Role of Article 4
Article 4 provides that any law made under Articles 2 or 3:
- Must contain provisions for amending the First Schedule (list of states and their territories) and the Fourth Schedule (allocation of Rajya Sabha seats).
- Does NOT require a Constitutional Amendment under Article 368 (i.e., it is treated as ordinary legislation, not a constitutional amendment requiring special majority).
🔄 Step-by-Step Constitutional Procedure for Renaming
- State Assembly passes a Resolution requesting renaming and sends it to the Union Government
- State Government formally transmits the proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
- Union Home Ministry examines the proposal; Ministry of Law & Justice concurs
- Union Cabinet approves the proposal ✅ (Done: February 24, 2026)
- President refers the Bill to the concerned State Legislature for its views within a specified time
- State Legislature expresses its views — Parliament is NOT bound by these views
- President recommends introduction of the Bill in Parliament
- Bill introduced in either House of Parliament (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha)
- Bill passed by Simple Majority in both Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha
- Presidential Assent is received → Bill becomes Law
- First Schedule & Fourth Schedule of the Constitution are amended accordingly — the new name Keralam enters the constitutional record
🔑 **Key UPSC Fact:** Parliament is **NOT bound** by the views of the State Legislature. Even if the state assembly objects (though this is unlikely here given unanimity), Parliament can proceed with the renaming.
📊 Article 3 vs Article 368 — Critical Distinction
| Feature | Article 3 (State Renaming) | Article 368 (Constitutional Amendment) |
|---|---|---|
| Majority Required | Simple majority (present & voting) | Special majority (2/3rd + 50% total membership) |
| State Ratification | Views sought — NOT binding | Ratification by ½ of states required (for some provisions) |
| Presidential Role | Prior recommendation mandatory | Presidential assent (no withholding power) |
| Nature of Change | Ordinary legislation | Amendment to Constitution |
| Schedules Amended | First & Fourth Schedules | Varies |
🧩 What is Linguistic Federalism? — UPSC Mains Concept
Linguistic Federalism refers to the principle that India's internal federal structure should reflect and respect the linguistic identities of its diverse population groups. It is the philosophical foundation behind the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
Key Pillars of Linguistic Federalism in India
| Pillar | Constitutional/Legal Basis | Relevance to Keralam |
|---|---|---|
| Language-based state formation | States Reorganisation Act, 1956 | Kerala formed for Malayalam speakers |
| Official Language recognition | Eighth Schedule (22 languages) | Malayalam is a recognised Schedule 8 language |
| State legislature in regional language | Article 210 | Kerala Assembly functions in Malayalam |
| Medium of instruction rights | Article 350A | Linguistic minority protection |
| Name in own language | Article 3 (now invoked) | "Keralam" reflects Malayalam usage |
🤝 Cooperative Federalism in Action
The Keralam renaming is a textbook example of Cooperative Federalism — where the Centre and State work together toward a shared goal:
- Initiation by State: Kerala Assembly unanimously passed the resolution (June 2024) — demonstrating state-level democratic consensus.
- Centre's Response: The Union Cabinet, rather than blocking the demand, approved it — showing responsiveness to regional aspirations.
- Constitutional Respect: The process strictly follows Article 3 — no shortcuts, no ordinances.
- Participatory Mechanism: Even though Parliament is not bound by the state legislature's views, the consultation is mandated, preserving the federal spirit.
📚 Precedents — Indian States Renamed in the Past
Kerala/Keralam would not be the first — India has a precedent of rectifying colonial-era names:
| Old Name | New Name | Year Effective | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Provinces | Uttar Pradesh | January 25, 1950 | Post-independence administrative reorganisation |
| Central Provinces & Berar | Madhya Pradesh | 1950 | Reorganisation |
| Travancore-Cochin | Kerala | November 1, 1956 | States Reorganisation Act, linguistic basis |
| Madras State | Tamil Nadu | January 14, 1969 | Cultural-linguistic identity |
| Mysore State | Karnataka | November 1, 1973 | Kannada identity assertion |
| Uttaranchal | Uttarakhand | January 1, 2007 | Tribal/regional identity |
| Orissa | Odisha | November 1, 2011 | Odia linguistic identity — most recent precedent |
🔍 **Note for UPSC:** Odisha's renaming (2011) also changed its language from "Oriya" to "Odia." This is the **most recent precedent** before the Keralam case.
🏛️ Political & Governance Dimensions
Why Now? Political Context
- The Union Cabinet approval came ahead of Kerala Assembly elections expected in 2026.
- The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan (CPI-M), and the demand enjoys cross-party support in Kerala — making it a rare example of political consensus.
- At the Centre, the BJP-led Union Government's approval signals a pragmatic approach to regional linguistic demands when backed by unanimous state-level consensus.
Significance Beyond Symbolism
| Dimension | Impact |
|---|---|
| Identity Assertion | Restores historical Malayalam roots in official records |
| Constitutional Alignment | First Schedule & Fourth Schedule updated to reflect lived identity |
| Linguistic Federalism | Validates the 1956 promise of recognizing Malayalam-speaking identity |
| Colonial Legacy Correction | Removes anglicised form from constitutional documents |
| Soft Power | Demonstrates India's ability to accommodate cultural diversity constitutionally |
🌐 West Bengal Parallel — Why "Bangla" is Still Pending
An interesting contrast: West Bengal has long demanded renaming to "Bangla" (to match the Bengali language name), but this has been stalled — primarily due to:
- Concerns over alphabetical ordering in All-India meetings (West Bengal comes last; Bangla would come earlier)
- Administrative complications with acronyms ("WB")
- Lack of the same level of political momentum at the Centre
This contrast underscores that linguistic renaming is not automatic — it requires political will at both state and central levels, plus a smooth constitutional process under Article 3.
📝 UPSC Prelims — Quick Revision Points
✅ Use this section for last-minute Prelims revision
- Article 3 → Parliament can alter the name of any state by law
- Article 4 → Such law amends First Schedule (state list) & Fourth Schedule (Rajya Sabha seats); NOT treated as Constitutional Amendment under Article 368
- Bill under Article 3 requires prior Presidential recommendation before introduction in Parliament
- State Legislature's views are advisory, not binding on Parliament
- Passed by Simple Majority in both Houses
- Kerala Assembly Resolution: June 24, 2024 (unanimous, moved by CM Pinarayi Vijayan)
- Cabinet Approval: February 24, 2026
- Bill Name: Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026
- Earliest recorded reference: Ashoka's Rock Edict II (~3rd century BCE) — "Keralaputra"
- Kerala formed: November 1, 1956 under States Reorganisation Act, 1956
- Last state renamed before this: Orissa → Odisha (2011)
🖊️ UPSC Mains — Model Answer Pointers
Q. The Union Cabinet's approval to rename Kerala as Keralam reflects the dynamics of linguistic federalism in India. Examine. (250 words)
Structure your answer as:
- Introduction: Brief mention of the event + Article 3 hook
- Historical Context: Cheralam → Keralam etymology; colonial anglicisation; 1956 States Reorganisation Act
- Constitutional Procedure: Article 3 + Article 4; role of President, Parliament, State Legislature
- Linguistic Federalism Analysis: Language as basis of state formation; Eighth Schedule recognition; completing the 1956 promise
- Cooperative Federalism Dimension: Unanimous state consensus + Centre's approval = cooperative model
- Comparison: Odisha precedent; West Bengal contrast
- Conclusion: Balancing unity in diversity — symbolic but constitutionally significant
🔗 Sources & References
- Union Cabinet Approves Renaming Kerala to Keralam — News on AIR (Official) (opens in new tab)
- Union Cabinet Approves Kerala's Renaming to Keralam Ahead of Polls — New Indian Express (opens in new tab)
- Union Cabinet Approves Renaming Kerala to 'Keralam' — Drishti IAS (opens in new tab)
- Kerala to Keralam: Constitutional Procedure, Cultural Identity — Sanskriti IAS (opens in new tab)
- Article 3 and Changing the Name of a State — Manorama Year Book (opens in new tab)
- Renaming the States — Insights IAS (opens in new tab)
- Renaming of States — Vision IAS Current Affairs (opens in new tab)
- Cabinet Approves Kerala to Keralam Name Change — SCC Online Times (opens in new tab)
- From Kerala to Keralam: Identity, Federalism and Politics of Naming — NewsClick (opens in new tab)
- Kerala To Become Keralam: Fascinating History Behind the Name — News18 (opens in new tab)
- Kerala to Keralam & Why West Bengal's 'Bangla' Renaming is Stalled — India Today (opens in new tab)
- Article 4 — Constitution of India (Official Text) (opens in new tab)
- The Story of India's Renamed States: When Did Orissa Become Odisha? — Odisha Bytes (opens in new tab)
- From Kerala to Keralam: Reclaiming Linguistic Identity — Policy Edge (opens in new tab)
- List of Renamed Places in India — Wikipedia (opens in new tab)