Context: The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, approved the proposal for alteration of the name of the State of “Kerala” as “Keralam”.
- After approval of the Union Cabinet, the President of India will refer a Bill, namely the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, to the State Legislative Assembly of Kerala for expressing its views under the proviso to Article 3 of the Constitution of India.
- After receipt of the views of the State Legislative Assembly of Kerala, the Government of India will take further action and the recommendation of the President will be obtained for introduction of the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 in Parliament for alteration of the name of the State of “Kerala” as “Keralam”.
- The Legislative Assembly of Kerala passed a resolution on 24 June 2024 to alter the name of the State of “Kerala” to “Keralam”.
- The resolution stated that the name of the State in Malayalam language is “Keralam”, that States were formed on the basis of language on 1 November 1956, and that Kerala Piravi Day is observed on 1 November.
- It further noted that since the time of the National Independence Struggle there had been a strong demand for the formation of a united Kerala for Malayalam-speaking people, but in the First Schedule to the Constitution the name of the State is recorded as “Kerala”.
- The Assembly unanimously appealed to the Central Government to take urgent steps under Article 3 of the Constitution to modify the name as “Keralam”.
- Thereafter, the Government of Kerala requested the Government of India to take necessary steps to amend the First Schedule to the Constitution by altering the name of the State of “Kerala” to “Keralam” as per Article 3 of the Constitution.
- The matter regarding alteration of the name of the State was considered in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. With the approval of Shri Amit Shah, Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation, the draft Note for the Cabinet was circulated to the Department of Legal Affairs and the Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, for their comments. Both Departments concurred with the proposal for alteration of the name of the State of “Kerala” as “Keralam”.
Constitutional Provision: Article 3
- Article 3 of the Constitution provides for alteration of the names of existing States. According to Article 3, Parliament may by law alter the name of any State.
- The proviso to Article 3 states that no Bill for this purpose shall be introduced in either House of Parliament except on the recommendation of the President.
- Further, if the proposal affects the area, boundaries or name of any State, the Bill must be referred by the President to the Legislature of that State for expressing its views within the period specified.
- After the expiry of that period, the Bill may be introduced in Parliament. The views of the State Legislature are not binding on Parliament.
Procedure for Changing the Name of a State
- The process begins with the State Assembly passing a resolution seeking the change of name. The proposal is then processed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- A Bill is prepared and, upon recommendation of the President, referred to the concerned State Legislature for its views. After the prescribed period expires, the Bill is introduced in Parliament.
- The Bill must be passed by a simple majority in both Houses. After passage, it is sent to the President for assent.
- Once assented to, it becomes an Act, and the name is officially changed in the First and Fourth Schedules of the Constitution.
Previous Changes to State Names
- In 2011, the name of Orissa was changed to Odisha through the Orissa (Alteration of Name) Act, and the name of the language was changed from Oriya to Odia.
- In 2007, the name of Uttaranchal was changed to Uttarakhand.
Difference in Case of Renaming the Country
- Article 3 applies only to alteration of names of States. Changing the name of the country would require a Constitutional Amendment under Article 368. Article 1 of the Constitution, which defines the country as “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States”, would need to be amended.
- Such an amendment requires a two-thirds majority of members present and voting in both Houses of Parliament, along with the support of more than 50 percent of the total strength of each House.
- The Supreme Court of India, in 2016 and 2020, rejected pleas to rename India as Bharat, observing that both names are already official and are used interchangeably in the Constitution.