{
  "id": 636203,
  "title": "Kerala to Keralam: As Lok Sabha clears Bill, why the state sought the change",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/kerala-to-keralam-as-lok-sabha-clears-bill-why-the-state-sought-the",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-12T05:45:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/kerala-name-change-bill-keralam-10829272/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On August 11, the Lok Sabha approved the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 by voice vote, following objections from the Opposition. The proposal seeks to rename the state from \"Kerala\" to \"Keralam\". This change was proposed in two unanimous resolutions passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly in August 2023 and June 2024. The Union Cabinet approved the proposal in February 2026, after which the Bill was forwarded to the state assembly, which unanimously supported it. The name change has been a topic of debate, with the state arguing that \"Keralam\" is the Malayalam version of the name, while \"Kerala\" is the English rendition and the name listed in the Constitution's First Schedule. The origins of the name \"Keralam\" can be traced back to various theories, including its mention in Emperor Ashoka's Rock Edict II from 257 BCE, the work of linguist Hermann Gundert, and the Old Tamil root \"cher\", meaning to join, and \"alam\", meaning a region or land. The modern state of Kerala was formed on November 1, 1956, following the integration of the princely states of Travancore and Cochin and the reorganization of states on linguistic lines. The name change will require approval from the Rajya Sabha and the President's assent before it becomes official.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}