The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal to change the name of the State of Kerala to ‘Keralam’.
Briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that following Cabinet approval, the President of India will refer the proposed legislation — the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 — to the State Legislative Assembly of Kerala to seek its views.
He stated that once the State Assembly’s views are received, the Government of India will initiate further action. Thereafter, the President’s recommendation will be obtained for introducing the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 in Parliament to formally effect the name change.
The Minister noted that the Kerala Legislative Assembly had earlier passed a resolution on June 24, 2024, seeking alteration of the State’s name.
Separately, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved three multitracking railway projects spanning eight districts across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand.
The projects involve a total estimated investment of ₹9,072 crore and are scheduled for completion by 2030–31.
