Kerala Renamed to Keralam Ahead of Onam

The Union Home Ministry has announced that Kerala will officially be known as Keralam from Tuesday. The change follows the approval of the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Act, 2026, by both the Kerala Assembly and Parliament.

The decision marks an important change in the official name of the southern state. From now on, government records and official communication will use the name Keralam as prescribed under the new law.

The change in name follows a long process involving the state and central governments. The proposal was considered by the Kerala government before being taken up through the required legislative process. After receiving approval from the state Assembly and Parliament, the change was formally cleared.

The new name, Keralam, is closely connected to the Malayalam name traditionally used for the state. Supporters of the change have said that using Keralam better reflects the state’s language, culture, and local identity.

The official change will require government departments and institutions to update their records, documents, websites, signs, and other official materials. The process is expected to be carried out gradually to ensure that the transition is smooth.

The name change is mainly an administrative and official change and does not affect the state’s borders, government structure, or constitutional status. Kerala will continue to function as the same state within the Indian Union.

The decision is also expected to attract public attention because the name Kerala has been widely used for many years in national and international settings. The adoption of Keralam gives the state a name that is closer to its traditional Malayalam usage.

Officials will now work on implementing the new name across government records and other official platforms. The change marks a new chapter in the state’s administrative identity while continuing to reflect its long-standing cultural and linguistic heritage.