New Delhi: In a landmark constitutional and linguistic milestone, formal administrative procedures have been initiated across Central and State departments following President Droupadi Murmu's official assent to the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill. With the President's signature, the legislation officially becomes law, modifying the First Schedule of the Constitution of India to replace the Anglicized name 'Kerala' with the state's traditional Malayalam name, 'Keralam'. For regular coverage on national policy and constitutional updates, visit our national breaking news portal.

Constitutional Process and Parliamentary Passage

The formal enactment marks the culmination of a systematic constitutional process under Article 3 of the Constitution, which empowers Parliament to alter the name, area, and boundaries of any state. The legislative timeline unfolded as follows:

  • Assembly Resolution: The Kerala Legislative Assembly unanimously passed resolutions in August 2023 and June 2024, urging the Union Government to align the state's constitutional nomenclature with its Malayalam pronunciation across official records.
  • Presidential Reference: Following Union Cabinet approval, the President referred the draft bill to the state legislature, where all clauses received unanimous endorsement from the Kerala Assembly.
  • Parliamentary Approval: The bill was introduced in Parliament, successfully cleared by the Lok Sabha on August 11, and subsequently passed by the Rajya Sabha by voice vote on August 12.

Historical and Linguistic Significance

The transition to 'Keralam' reflects the deep-rooted cultural and linguistic heritage of the Malayalam-speaking population. The term traces its origins back centuries, with epigraphical references appearing as 'Keralaputra' in Emperor Ashoka's Rock Edict II dating to the 3rd century BCE, and in early classical literature denoting the Chera dynasty.

During the national freedom movement, the Aikya Kerala (United Kerala) Movement in the 1920s rallied around the demand to unite the Malayalam-speaking regions of Malabar, Cochin, and Travancore. When the state was formally created on linguistic lines on November 1, 1956 (Kerala Piravi Day), it was listed as 'Kerala' in English in the First Schedule, creating a longstanding discrepancy with the native term used by its residents.

Administrative Rollout and Official Notifications

Following the presidential enactment, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Legislative Department have initiated the process of issuing the formal Gazette Notification. Central ministries, including Railways, Posts, the Survey of India, and the Registrar General of India, along with state secretariats, will progressively update stationery, legal documentation, digital databases, and administrative signage to reflect the official designation of the State of Keralam.