Union Cabinet Approves Renaming of Kerala State as “Keralam”

1️⃣ Essence of the Event

The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal to change the name of the state of Kerala from “Kerala” → “Keralam”.

June 2024: The Kerala Legislative Assembly passed a unanimous resolution.
Currently, the Central Government is taking action under constitutional provisions.

2️⃣ Constitutional Basis

📜 Article 3 – Very Important (Prelims + Mains)

Article 3 gives Parliament the power regarding:
• Alteration of state boundaries
• Change of state name
• Formation of new states
• Division or merger of states

3️⃣ Procedure for Changing a State Name

Step-by-step process:

1️⃣ State Legislative Assembly passes a resolution
2️⃣ Union Cabinet approval
3️⃣ Recommendation of the President
4️⃣ Bill sent to the State Legislature for its views
5️⃣ Introduction in Parliament
6️⃣ Passage into law

👉 Final authority – Parliament

4️⃣ First Schedule

The First Schedule of the Indian Constitution contains the list of states and their territorial details.

For changing a state name:
Amendment to the First Schedule is necessary.

5️⃣ Important Constitutional Provisions

Article 1 – India as a Union of States
Article 3 – Formation and renaming of states
First Schedule – List of states

6️⃣ Why Change to “Keralam”?

“Kerala” is the English form.
“Keralam” reflects the linguistic and cultural identity in the local language.

Background:
Linguistic Identity Politics

7️⃣ Previous Name Changes

Madras → Tamil Nadu (1969)
Mysore → Karnataka (1973)
Orissa → Odisha (2011)
Pondicherry → Puducherry (2006)

8️⃣ Important Points for Exams

🔹 Prelims Important:
• Article 3
• First Schedule
• Authority to change state names – Parliament