‘Kerala’ to ‘Keralam’: What is the process to change the name of a State?

Explore the process of renaming Indian states, focusing on Kerala's transition to Keralam and the constitutional framework involved.

The Union Cabinet on Tuesday (February 24, 2026) approved the renaming of the State of ‘Kerala’ to ‘Keralam.’ On June 24, 2024, the Kerala Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution urging the Union government to rename the State

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What is the process to change the name of a State in India? Let’s take a look.

According to Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, Parliament may, by law, alter the name of any State. The article also states that no Bill for the purpose shall be introduced in either House of Parliament except on the recommendation of the President and unless where the proposal contained in the bill affects the area, boundaries or name of any of the States, the Bill has been referred by the president to the legislature of that State for expressing its views thereon within such period as may be specified in the reference or within such further period as the president may allow and the period so specified or allowed has expired.

This, in simpler terms, means that the State Assembly first passes a resolution for the change of the name and sends it to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). It is then sent for the recommendation of the President to Parliament. Such a Bill can only be introduced in Parliament after the President recommends it.

The next step is to send the Bill to the affected state’s legislature to get their views within a set time. A crucial point to note is that the State’s opinion is not binding. Parliament can move forward even if the State disagrees.