Kerala officially renamed Keralam, effective August 2026

India's southern state of Kerala has been officially renamed Keralam, marking a significant administrative change for the coastal region. The Union Home Ministry issued the formal notification following legislative approval of the Kerala Alteration of Name Act, 2026, with the new designation becoming effective from August 25, 2026.

The renaming represents the culmination of efforts by the Kerala government to align the state's official nomenclature with its Malayalam-language designation. Keralam is the Malayalam name for the state, and proponents of the change have argued that the new name better reflects the region's cultural and linguistic identity.

The alteration follows a pattern of state name changes across India, where several regions have adopted names more closely aligned with local languages and historical traditions. The transition will necessitate updates to official documents, government letterheads, and administrative records across state and central government departments.

With a population exceeding 33 million, Kerala is one of India's most developed states, known for its high literacy rates, healthcare infrastructure, and tourism sector. The state government will oversee the implementation of the name change across its administrative machinery in the months preceding the August 2026 effective date.