Kerala to Keralam: What the Name Change Means for Travellers

Kerala is on the verge of getting a new official name. The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, passed the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 by voice vote, paving the way for the state to be officially known as Keralam.

The Lok Sabha had already cleared the Bill a day earlier, on August 11. The legislation, however, will become law only after it receives the President’s assent. Once the process is completed, the state’s constitutional name will be changed from Kerala to Keralam.

Why is Kerala’s name being changed?

The Kerala Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on June 24, 2024, seeking to change the state’s name to Keralam. The resolution noted that the state is known as Keralam in the Malayalam language and argued that the constitutional name should reflect the name used in the state’s official language.

The demand also dates back to the formation of the Malayalam-speaking state on November 1, 1956. The Union Cabinet approved the proposal on February 24, 2026.

The name change is being carried out under Article 3 of the Constitution, which gives Parliament the power to alter the name of an existing state. As part of the constitutional process, the state legislature is consulted before Parliament considers such a proposal.

What does the name change mean for travellers?

For tourists, there will be no immediate disruption. Kerala’s airports, railway stations, roads, hotels and popular tourist destinations will continue to operate as usual.

The state, popularly known as God’s Own Country, is famous for its backwaters, beaches, hill stations, wildlife, Ayurveda and rich cultural traditions. Popular destinations such as Munnar, Wayanad, Kovalam, Kumarakom, Varkala and Fort Kochi will remain unchanged.

Travellers also do not need to worry about existing bookings. Flight and train tickets, hotel reservations, tour packages and other travel documents that mention Kerala will continue to remain valid.

The change is primarily an official and constitutional one. For visitors, the Kerala they know and travel to will remain the same, even as its official name moves to Keralam.