Centre officially renames Kerala as ‘Keralam’ ahead of Onam celebrations

New Delhi – The Ministry of Home Affairs has formally notified that the state of Kerala will now be referred to as "Keralam" in all official documents. The notification, released this week, aligns with the cultural significance of the upcoming Onam festival, a period when the state celebrates its heritage. The change is intended to reflect the Malayalam pronunciation more accurately and to standardise the name across government records. State officials have been instructed to update signage, stationery and digital portals within a stipulated timeframe. The central government says the amendment does not affect the state's legal status or administrative functions.