Kerala is now Keralam

What changed and when

Kerala is now officially Keralam. The change was made by the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Act, 2026, which replaces "Kerala" with "Keralam" in government and constitutional references. The law came into force on 25 August 2026, around Onam, after receiving the President's assent.

The process took a little over two years from the state's request to the final law:

So if you see "Keralam" on a government website, a notice or a new form, that is not a typo. It is the state's legal name.

Why Keralam

For people who speak Malayalam, this is not a new name at all. Keralam is what the state has always been called in Malayalam, in songs, in school books and in everyday conversation. "Kerala" is the form that became standard in English and in other Indian languages.

The Assembly's request was simple: the official name should match the name the people of the state already use. The new Act does that. The place, its borders, its districts and its people are exactly the same. Only the official spelling of the name has changed.

You will still hear and read "Kerala" for a long time. Most people searching online still type Kerala, maps and travel sites take time to update, and plenty of older signs and documents carry the old name. Both words point to the same place, and nobody will be confused if you use either one in conversation.

What it means for visitors and tourists

For a visitor, almost nothing practical changes.

• Travel and entry: Kerala (now officially Keralam) is a state of India, so entry rules are India's rules. The name change does not affect visas or arrival procedures.
• Getting there: the four international airports at Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Kannur work as before. Your bookings are not affected by the new name.
• Searching and booking: search engines, booking sites and maps will show results for both spellings. If one search gives you thin results, try the other.
• On the ground: you may see both names on signs, menus and brochures for a while. That is normal during any official name change.

If you are planning a longer stay to work remotely, our guide to a workation in Kerala covers where to stay, the best months and internet checks. The Discover Keralam page gives a quick overview of the regions.

Documents, addresses and passports: follow official guidance

This is the part people worry about most, so we will be careful. The Act changes the name in government and constitutional references. How each department handles existing documents, records and forms is decided by that department, and the details can take time to be announced.

Some sensible principles in the meantime:

• Do not rush to reissue anything. A name change of a state does not, by itself, mean that a valid document you already hold has stopped being valid. Wait for the issuing authority to say what, if anything, you need to do.
• Passports and visas: check with the Passport Seva system or your nearest Indian mission if you are abroad. If you live in the Gulf, the Indian embassy or consulate where you live is the right place to ask.
• State records: for land records, certificates, vehicle papers and similar items, check the relevant state department's official website or office.
• Addresses: as new forms start showing "Keralam" in the state field, use what the form offers. If a foreign bank, employer or courier system only lists "Kerala", that is fine to use until their list is updated. Your PIN code identifies the location either way.
• Mismatches: if two of your documents end up showing different spellings of the state, keep copies of both and ask the authority concerned how they want it handled, rather than assuming.

NRIs can also check NORKA Roots, the state agency for non-resident Keralites, for any updates that affect people living abroad.

What it means for NRIs and Gulf Malayalis

For most non-resident Keralites, the day-to-day impact is small. Your home is in the same place, your family address has the same PIN code, and your documents are handled by the same offices as before.

Where it may matter is when you deal with paperwork on both sides, for example a visa renewal in the UAE that needs Indian documents, or a property matter at home while you are abroad. In those cases, follow the guidance from the office involved and keep copies of everything.

The name change also comes at a time when many Gulf Malayalis are thinking about returning, or about earning from abroad while living at home. If that is you, read our guide on settling in Kerala after the Gulf, which covers planning, work options and NORKA Roots programmes.

What it means for businesses and brands

For businesses, the name change raises a few practical questions. Here is how to think about each one without overreacting.

• Registered company names: if your company name includes "Kerala", the new Act does not tell private businesses to rename themselves. If you are unsure about your situation, ask your company secretary, lawyer or the relevant registrar.
• Addresses on invoices and websites: you can move to "Keralam" in your address lines over time, for example at your next print run or website update. There is no need to reprint everything at once unless an authority tells you to.
• Tourism branding: the state's tourism marketing has been built for years around the English name. Any change to official tourism branding will come from Kerala Tourism itself, so watch its official channels rather than relying on rumours.
• Search and marketing: people still type "Kerala" far more than "Keralam". If you sell to customers abroad, use both. A simple approach is "Kerala (now officially Keralam)" in key pages, with Kerala in titles where search matters.
• Contracts and tenders: for government contracts and tenders, follow the wording in the official documents you receive.

For businesses that work with clients abroad, the new name is also a small branding opportunity. "Keralam" is distinctive, easy to say, and carries the state's own voice.

How keralam.si uses the name

We named this platform keralam.si because Keralam is what we call home. Our line is "Hire super intelligence from Keralam": freelancers and companies from the state working for buyers in the Gulf, the UK, Europe and the US.

On this site you will see both words. We use "Keralam" in our own voice and "Kerala" where it helps people find us. If you want to work with talent from the state, you can browse freelancers from Keralam or read our guide on how to hire freelancers in Kerala.

Quick summary

• Keralam is the official name from 25 August 2026, under the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Act, 2026.
• The place, borders, districts and PIN codes are unchanged.
• Visitors: travel, airports and bookings are not affected.
• Documents: do not reissue anything on assumption. Follow guidance from the issuing authority.
• Businesses: update addresses and branding at a sensible pace, and use both names for search.