The Union Cabinet approved the Kerala government’s proposal to officially change the state’s name from Kerala to Keralam.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision after the cabinet meeting held at Seva Teerth, the new PMO building.
The Kerala Assembly had unanimously adopted a resolution on June 24, 2024, urging the Centre to amend the First Schedule of the Constitution and rename the state as Keralam in all languages listed in the Eighth Schedule. The House had earlier passed a similar resolution in August 2023, but the Ministry of Home Affairs suggested technical changes before resubmission.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who moved the resolution, emphasised that the state is called “Keralam” in Malayalam. He recalled that the demand for a united Kerala for Malayalam‑speaking communities had emerged during the freedom struggle. The resolution sought to align the constitutional name with the cultural and linguistic identity of the state.
Union Minister Vaishnaw said the cabinet’s decision reflects the government’s commitment to constitutional values and nation‑building. He highlighted that every decision taken at Seva Teerth would be inspired by service to citizens and linked to dignity, equality, and justice.
