Rajya Sabha clears name change bill; what it means for travellers
Kerala is set for a historic name change. In a recent update, the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, August 12 passed the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026. This means that the state will be officially known as Keralam. The information is based on the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and the Ministry of Home Affairs, which had earlier confirmed the Union Cabinet’s approval of the proposal and outlined the constitutional process under Article 3.The Lok Sabha had cleared the Bill a day earlier.Kerala to KeralamThe Bill seeks the name change of Kerala to Keralam. The Rajya Sabha passed the legislation by voice vote after the Lok Sabha had approved it on August 11. However, the Bill still has to receive the President’s assent before becoming law. Once the legislation comes into force, the constitutional name of the state will be changed to Keralam.What it means for travellersFor travellers, this is primarily an official and constitutional change. Kerala’s familiar tourism destinations, airports, railway stations, roads, hotels and attractions will not suddenly change over time.
Munnar (Canva)
Why new nameAs per PIB, the Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on June 24, 2024, requesting the Centre to change the state’s name from Kerala to Keralam. The resolution pointed out that the name of the state is “Keralam” in Malayalam and argued that the change would align the constitutional name with the Malayalam-language name of the state.It also linked the demand to the formation of a Malayalam-speaking state on November 1, 1956. The Union Cabinet subsequently approved the proposal on February 24, 2026.The PIB explained that under Article 3 of the Constitution, Parliament has the power to alter the name of an existing state. The constitutional procedure also requires the President to refer such a proposal to the concerned state legislature for its views before Parliament considers the legislation.The Kerala Assembly later expressed its views on the proposal, clearing the way for the Bill to move through Parliament.What does Keralam mean for tourism?Kerala is known as ‘God’s Own Country’ for a reason. The state is a beautiful combination of backwaters, beaches, hill stations and wildlife. The state is also known for its numerous cultural attractions and wellness experiences that have made it one of India’s best-known tourism destinations.
Kovalam Beach, Kerala
Its famous backwaters remain one of the biggest draws for visitors, with destinations including Alappuzha, Kumarakom, Ashtamudi and Kuttanad offering houseboat cruises and other water-based experiences.Travellers can also expect the state’s established tourism experiences to remain unchanged, from hill escapes and wildlife safaris to Ayurveda, beaches, traditional art forms and festivals. Kerala Tourism lists destinations such as:MunnarWayanadKovalamKumarakomFort Kochi VarkalaFor now, no immediate action is required from travellers. Existing flight and train bookings, hotel reservations, tour packages and travel documents referencing Kerala remain relevant.Source information: Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Kerala
