📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / President's Secretariat
Politics
President Murmu Signs Bill Renaming Kerala to Keralam
✍️ Business Standard
🗓 17 Aug 2026, 03:17 PM
👁 3
President Droupadi Murmu signed the bill passed by Parliament to rename the state of Kerala as Keralam, marking a significant change in the state's official designation.
President Droupadi Murmu signed the bill on Monday, giving it the final approval required for it to become law. The legislation, which was introduced in Parliament earlier this year, proposes changing the official name of the southern state from Kerala to Keralam.
The move follows a long‑standing debate among political leaders and cultural groups about the state's identity and linguistic heritage. The bill now enters the next phase of implementation, which will involve updating official documents, signage and digital records.
Government officials say the change will not affect administrative functions but will reflect the state's cultural ethos more closely. The decision has been welcomed by some local leaders who view the new name as a nod to the region’s heritage.
Opposition parties have expressed concerns about the cost of re‑branding and the potential confusion it may cause for residents and businesses. Nevertheless, the bill has passed both houses of Parliament and now awaits the President’s assent, which has been granted.
The move follows a long‑standing debate among political leaders and cultural groups about the state's identity and linguistic heritage. The bill now enters the next phase of implementation, which will involve updating official documents, signage and digital records.
Government officials say the change will not affect administrative functions but will reflect the state's cultural ethos more closely. The decision has been welcomed by some local leaders who view the new name as a nod to the region’s heritage.
Opposition parties have expressed concerns about the cost of re‑branding and the potential confusion it may cause for residents and businesses. Nevertheless, the bill has passed both houses of Parliament and now awaits the President’s assent, which has been granted.