The proposal to rename the State of Kerala as “Keralam” has renewed attention on the constitutional procedure governing the alteration of state names in India.
Constitutional Procedure for Renaming a State
Parliamentary Authority
Exclusive Legislative Power: Article 3 of the Constitution of India confers exclusive authority upon Parliament to create new states or modify the area, boundaries, or name of any existing state through legislation. This provision establishes Parliament as the sole constitutional body competent to effect such changes.
Initiation by the State: Assembly Resolution
In practice, the process typically begins when a State Legislative Assembly adopts a resolution seeking a name change and forwards it to the Ministry of Home Affairs. In this instance, the Kerala Legislative Assembly passed a resolution in 2024 requesting that the state be renamed “Keralam.”
Administrative Scrutiny: Inter-Ministerial Consultation
Upon receiving the proposal, the Ministry of Home Affairs undertakes a detailed examination. It seeks No Objection Certificates from relevant institutions, including the Ministry of Railways, the Intelligence Bureau, the Department of Posts, the Survey of India, and the Registrar General of India.
This scrutiny ensures that the proposed change does not conflict with administrative records, geographical classifications, or security considerations. The Department of Legal Affairs and the Legislative Department under the Ministry of Law and Justice have concurred with the proposal.
Presidential Recommendation: Mandatory Requirement
After administrative clearance, a Bill—titled the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026—may be introduced in Parliament only with the prior recommendation of the President.
Consultation with the State Legislature: Expression of Views
If the proposed legislation affects a state’s name or boundaries, the President is constitutionally required to refer the draft Bill to the concerned State Legislature.
The Legislature is invited to express its views within a timeframe specified by the President.
However, Parliament is not legally bound by the opinion of the State Legislature and may accept or disregard its views.
Legislative Approval: Simple Majority
The Bill requires only a simple majority in Parliament for passage. It does not constitute a constitutional amendment under Article 368.
Following parliamentary approval, the Bill is sent to the President for assent. Upon assent, the alteration becomes law, and the First Schedule of the Constitution is amended.
Amendment of the First Schedule
The First Schedule enumerates the names and territorial boundaries of all States and Union Territories, forming the constitutional basis of India’s political map.
The Kerala Assembly further requested that the name “Keralam” be reflected not only in the First Schedule but across all official languages listed in the Eighth Schedule to ensure linguistic uniformity.
Historical and Linguistic Origins of Keralam
Key references, linguistic interpretations, and the political developments that shaped the modern state.
Epigraphic Evidence: Ancient References
Ashokan Rock Edict II (257 BCE): Keralaputra
The term “Keralam” predates colonial rule. Rock Edict II of Emperor Ashoka (257 BCE) refers to the region as “Keralaputra,” commonly associated with the Chera dynasty.
Ancient Tamil literature: Akananuru
Ancient Tamil literature, including Akananuru, also contains references to the name.
Etymological Interpretations: Scholarly Theories
Herman Gundert: Cheram or Cheralam
Several linguistic explanations have been proposed regarding the origin of “Keralam.” German scholar Herman Gundert, compiler of the first Malayalam-English dictionary, traced the term to “Cheram” or “Cheralam.”
Component meanings: cher and alam
The root “cher” signifies “to join,” while “alam” denotes land or region. Accordingly, the term implied an integrated territory stretching between Gokarnam and Kanyakumari.
Alternative explanation: keram as coconut
Alternative interpretations connect the word to “keram,” meaning coconut, a prominent agricultural product of the region.
Colonial Transformation: Emergence of Kerala
Anglicised spelling adopted
During British rule, the anglicised form “Kerala” came into official usage. Although the modern state was formed on linguistic lines, the Constitution adopted this altered spelling rather than the native Malayalam form “Keralam.”
The Aikya Kerala Movement and State Formation
Early Political Demand: Movement for Unification
The demand for a unified Malayalam-speaking state emerged during the 1920s through the Aikya Kerala movement. The movement sought integration of Malabar, Kochi, and Travancore alongside the broader freedom struggle.
Post-Independence Developments: Commission Recommendations
Travancore and Kochi merged in 1949. Subsequently, the State Reorganisation Commission under Syed Fazl Ali recommended the formation of a linguistically unified state.
Official Formation: Kerala Piravi
On 1 November 1956, celebrated annually as Kerala Piravi Day, the state was officially constituted by integrating the Malabar district and Kasargod taluk, while excluding certain southern taluks of Travancore.
Renaming Of States And Union Territories In India
- Early Post-Independence Change: Uttar Pradesh: In 1950, the United Provinces was renamed Uttar Pradesh. The Sanskrit-derived term replaced colonial nomenclature and signified “Northern Province.”
- Linguistic Assertion: Tamil Nadu: Madras State adopted the name Tamil Nadu in 1969. The change reflected strong linguistic and cultural assertions, particularly by Dravidian political movements advocating recognition of Tamil identity.
- Regional Representation: Karnataka: In 1973, Mysore was renamed Karnataka to represent all Kannada-speaking regions within the reorganised state boundaries established under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
- Cultural Resonance: Uttarakhand: Uttaranchal was officially renamed Uttarakhand in 2007, reflecting regional preferences rooted in historical and cultural identity within the Himalayan region.
- Linguistic Correction: Odisha: In 2011, Orissa was renamed Odisha, and the language Oriya was officially changed to Odia. The amendment aimed to correct colonial spellings and align the names with authentic pronunciation.
- Consolidation of Identity: Lakshadweep: In 1973, the Union Territory formerly known as the Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands was renamed Lakshadweep. The new name, derived from Sanskrit and Malayalam, signifies “a hundred thousand islands.”
- Restoration of Indigenous Form: Puducherry: Pondicherry was renamed Puducherry in 2006, reinstating its original Tamil name meaning “new town” and moving away from its French colonial spelling.
- Redefinition of Status: National Capital Territory of Delhi: In 1992, through the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act, the Union Territory of Delhi became the National Capital Territory of Delhi. This reform granted a legislative assembly and special administrative status.