The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a proposal to officially change the name of Kerala to Keralam. The decision begins the formal constitutional procedure required to amend the First Schedule of the Constitution under Article 3. As part of the process, the proposed legislation will be referred by the President to the Kerala Legislative Assembly for its opinion. The move follows a unanimous resolution passed by the Assembly seeking to adopt “Keralam”, the state’s name in Malayalam, as its official designation, aligning the constitutional name with its cultural and linguistic identity.
What Is the Reason Behind Renaming Kerala to Keralam?
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The Kerala Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution requesting that the state’s name be officially changed to Keralam, the term used in Malayalam.
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The proposal aims to ensure that the constitutional name reflects the pronunciation and usage in the state’s native language.
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The move is intended to strengthen recognition of Kerala’s linguistic heritage and cultural identity.
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The Union Cabinet approved the proposal, initiating the formal constitutional procedure required for altering a state’s name.
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As per Article 3 of the Constitution, a bill will be referred to the State Assembly for its views before being placed before Parliament for final approval.
What Is the Process Behind the Kerala Name Change to Keralam?
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The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal to rename Kerala as Keralam, formally initiating the constitutional procedure.
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Under Article 3 of the Constitution, Parliament has the authority to change the name of a state.
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After Cabinet approval, the proposed legislation is sent by the President to the concerned State Legislative Assembly for its views.
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The Kerala Legislative Assembly will examine the bill and submit its opinion within the prescribed time.
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Once this step is completed, the bill can be introduced in Parliament.
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If both houses pass the bill and it receives presidential assent, the First Schedule of the Constitution will be amended to reflect the new name.
PYQs on the Schedule of the Constitution
| Exam | Year | Question (With Options) | Correct Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC Civil Services (Prelims) | 2016 | The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India makes provisions for the administration of tribal areas in which of the following states? (a) Assam (b) Meghalaya (c) Tripura (d) Mizoram Select the correct answer using the code below: (1) (a), (b) and (c) only (2) (a), (b) and (d) only (3) (a), (b), (c) and (d) (4) (b), (c) and (d) only |
(3) (a), (b), (c), (d) |
| UPSC Civil Services (Prelims) | 2022 | If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which of the following statements best reflects the consequence of it? (a) It becomes a Union Territory. (b) It gets autonomous statehood. (c) It comes under special administration for Scheduled Areas and Tribes. (d) It is governed directly by Parliament |
(c) It comes under special administration for Scheduled Areas and Tribes |
| SSC CGL | 2017 | The Anti-Defection Law in India is included in which schedule of the Constitution? (a) Eighth Schedule (b) Ninth Schedule (c) Tenth Schedule (d) Eleventh Schedule |
(c) Tenth Schedule |
| CDS Exam | 2019 | The distribution of powers between the Union and the States is mentioned in which Schedule of the Constitution? (a) Fifth Schedule (b) Seventh Schedule (c) Ninth Schedule (d) Twelfth Schedule |
(b) Seventh Schedule |
| State PSC (Various) | 2018 | How many Schedules are there in the Constitution of India at present? (a) 10 (b) 11 (c) 12 (d) 13 |
(c) 12 |
Conclusion (Cabinet Renaming Kerala to Keralam)
The Union Cabinet’s decision to approve the renaming of Kerala to Keralam marks an important constitutional and symbolic step. The move reflects the state’s linguistic identity and aligns its official name with the Malayalam usage. While the final change depends on parliamentary approval and presidential assent, the development highlights how constitutional provisions allow states to assert cultural representation within the federal framework. If completed, the amendment will formally update the First Schedule of the Constitution, giving the state its traditional name in official records.
