Article 3 of the Constitution lets Parliament, by ordinary law, form new states, change their areas or boundaries, or alter their names. A bill for this can be introduced only on the President's recommendation, and where it affects a state's area, boundaries or name the President must first send it to that state's legislature for its views within a set time (the views are not binding).
Key facts
- Article 3: Parliament may by law form a new state, alter areas or boundaries, or change the name of a state.
- The bill needs the President's recommendation and prior reference to the affected state legislature for its views.
- Kerala's Assembly passed a renaming resolution on 24 June 2024; the Union Cabinet approved the bill on 24 February 2026.
Latest
Kerala officially became Keralam on 25 August 2026 when the Home Ministry notified the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Act, 2026 (Lok Sabha 11 August, Rajya Sabha 12 August).
Why exams ask about it
The Article, the role of the state legislature and earlier renamings (and their years) are the usual questions.