Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill 2026: Kerala to Keralam, Article 3 Explained

The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 seeks to change the official name of the State of Kerala to Keralam. The proposed change is linked to a resolution passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly and involves an amendment to the First Schedule of the Constitution of India.

For UPSC aspirants, the development is important for understanding Article 3 of the Constitution, the procedure for changing the name or boundaries of a State, the role of the President and State Legislature, and the distinction between an ordinary constitutional law and an amendment under Article 368.

What is the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill 2026?

The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 provides for the alteration of the name of the State from Kerala to Keralam.

The change requires the corresponding entry in the First Schedule of the Constitution to be modified.

The First Schedule contains the names and territorial descriptions of India’s States and Union Territories.

Why is Kerala Being Renamed Keralam?

The proposed change reflects the State’s preference for “Keralam,” the Malayalam name traditionally used for the State.

The issue also highlights the importance of language and regional identity in India’s federal structure. Kerala’s Legislative Assembly has supported the proposed change through a resolution, following which the constitutional process can be undertaken at the Union level.

Constitutional Basis: Article 3

Article 3 of the Constitution gives Parliament the power to reorganise India’s States.

Under Article 3, Parliament may by law:

1. Form a new State by separation of territory from an existing State.
2. Unite two or more States or parts of States.
3. Increase the area of a State.
4. Diminish the area of a State.
5. Alter the boundaries of a State.
6. Alter the name of a State.

Therefore, the proposed change from Kerala to Keralam falls directly within Parliament’s legislative power under Article 3.

Procedure for Changing the Name of a State

The constitutional procedure involves several important stages.

1. Proposal for Change

A proposal for changing the name of a State can originate from the State, including through a resolution of its Legislative Assembly.

However, it is important for UPSC aspirants to remember that a State Assembly resolution itself is not the constitutional mechanism that changes the State’s name.

The final power lies with Parliament under Article 3.

2. Recommendation of the President

A Bill seeking to alter the name of a State cannot be introduced in Parliament without the prior recommendation of the President.

This is a crucial constitutional requirement.

The Bill may be introduced in either House of Parliament, subject to this Presidential recommendation.

3. Reference to the State Legislature

Before the Bill is introduced, the President refers the proposal to the concerned State Legislature.

The State Legislature is given an opportunity to express its views within the period specified by the President.

The President may also extend this period.

4. State Legislature’s Views Are Not Binding

This is one of the most important points for the UPSC examination.

The Constitution requires the State Legislature to be consulted, but its consent is not mandatory.

Even if the State Legislature disagrees with the proposal, Parliament can ultimately pass the legislation.

Thus, the process involves consultation rather than State veto.

5. Passage by Parliament

The Bill is considered and passed by both Houses of Parliament.

Unlike constitutional amendments under Article 368, an Article 3 Bill requires only a simple majority of members present and voting.

Therefore:

Article 3 → Simple Majority

Article 368 → Special Majority, and in some cases State ratification

6. Presidential Assent

After being passed by Parliament, the Bill is presented to the President.

Once the President gives assent, it becomes law.

The corresponding entry in the First Schedule is then altered to reflect the new name.

Article 3 vs Article 368

A common UPSC confusion is whether changing the name of a State amounts to a constitutional amendment.

The answer is no, in the Article 368 sense.

Article 4 provides that laws made under Articles 2 and 3 may amend the First and Fourth Schedules and may contain supplemental, incidental and consequential provisions.

However, such a law is not deemed to be a constitutional amendment for the purposes of Article 368.

Role of the State Legislature

The Kerala case is particularly useful for understanding Indian federalism.

The State Legislature has a consultative role, but Parliament retains the final legislative authority.

This reflects the Constitution’s approach to territorial reorganisation: States are important units of the federation, but Parliament has significant authority over their territorial and nomenclatural reorganisation.

Why the First Schedule Matters

The First Schedule contains:

• Names of States
• Territories of States
• Names and territorial descriptions of Union Territories

Therefore, when the official name of a State changes, the relevant entry in the First Schedule must also be modified.

The proposed Kerala → Keralam change therefore has both a statutory and constitutional-schedule dimension.

Historical Context of State Renaming

India has witnessed several changes in the names of States over the years.

Examples include:

• Madras → Tamil Nadu
• Mysore → Karnataka
• Uttaranchal → Uttarakhand
• Orissa → Odisha
• West Bengal’s proposed renaming debates

These examples demonstrate that State names can evolve because of linguistic, cultural, historical and political considerations.

Kerala vs Keralam: What UPSC Aspirants Should Remember

The distinction is primarily linguistic.

Kerala is the English form commonly used in official and international contexts, while Keralam is the Malayalam name.

The proposed change therefore connects constitutional nomenclature with regional linguistic identity.

Significance of the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill 2026

1. Linguistic Identity

The proposal reflects the cultural and linguistic identity associated with Malayalam and Kerala’s historical traditions.

2. Indian Federalism

It demonstrates the balance between State aspirations and Parliament’s constitutional authority.

3. Constitutional Flexibility

Article 3 enables Parliament to reorganise India’s internal political geography without invoking the comparatively rigid Article 368 amendment procedure.

4. UPSC Relevance

The issue connects several important topics:

• Indian Constitution
• Federalism
• Article 3
• Article 4
• First Schedule
• Parliamentary procedures
• State reorganisation
• Linguistic identity

Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill 2026: Prelims Facts

Remember these five points:

1. Kerala → Keralam
2. Article 3 provides Parliament’s power to alter the name of a State.
3. The President’s prior recommendation is required for introduction of the Bill.
4. The views of the concerned State Legislature are sought but are not binding.
5. The Bill is passed by a simple majority, and Article 368’s constitutional amendment procedure is not required.

Read Also: UPSC Daily Current Affairs 2026

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