- Why in news
- On 24 February 2026 the Union Cabinet approved renaming the State of Kerala as Keralam. The President will now refer the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the State Legislature for its views under Article 3.
- What it is
- Article 3 lets Parliament, by ordinary law, form new States and alter the area, boundaries or name of existing States. A State's name is recorded in the First Schedule to the Constitution. Such a law needs the President's recommendation and a reference to the affected State Legislature, whose views are not binding.
- Power to rename
- Article 3 empowers Parliament to alter the name of any State by law.
- Presidential recommendation
- A Bill under Article 3 can be introduced in either House only on the President's recommendation.
- Reference to State Legislature
- The President refers the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the Kerala Assembly for its views before introduction in Parliament.
- Constitutional amendment status
- Under Article 4, a law under Article 3 is not an amendment of the Constitution under Article 368, though it changes the First Schedule. It needs only a simple majority.
Don’t confuse with Article 3 vs Article 2: Article 2 covers admission or establishment of new States not already in the Union. Article 3 deals with existing States: new States, area, boundaries and names.
Don’t confuse with Article 3 vs Article 368: Article 3 changes are made by ordinary law (Article 4). Article 368 is the formal route for constitutional amendments.
Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.
Why it matters
- Reflects the linguistic and cultural identity of States, using the Malayalam name Keralam.
- Shows the cooperative federal process: State Assembly resolution, Union Cabinet approval, then Parliament.
Problems
- Parliament is not bound by State views, which raises federalism concerns when States disagree on changes.
- Name changes require updates to official records, laws and documents across the Centre and State.
Way forward
- Complete the Article 3 process: obtain the Assembly's views, then introduce the Bill with presidential recommendation.
- Plan a phased update of official records and documents to reduce administrative disruption.
Put in your answer
Article 3 procedure: Cite the safeguards: presidential recommendation and reference to the State Legislature, whose views are not binding.
Article 4: Laws under Articles 2 and 3 are not Article 368 amendments, so a simple majority suffices.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
- 1.A Bill to alter the name of a State can be introduced in Parliament only on the recommendation of the President.
- 2.The views expressed by the State Legislature on a proposal under Article 3 are binding on Parliament.
- 3.A law made under Article 3 to rename a State is treated as an amendment of the Constitution under Article 368 and needs a special majority.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 7
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.Parliament can alter the name of an existing State by law under Article 3 of the Constitution.
True. Article 3 lets Parliament alter the name of any State by law.
2.A Bill to alter a State's name can be introduced in Parliament only on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
False. The recommendation must be of the President.
3.Before such a Bill is introduced, it must be referred by the President to the Legislature of the State concerned for its views.
True. The proviso requires reference to the affected State Legislature.
4.The views expressed by the State Legislature on a proposal under Article 3 are binding on Parliament.
False. The views are not binding; Parliament may accept or reject them.
5.A law under Article 3 renaming a State requires a special majority and is treated as an amendment under Article 368.
False. Under Article 4 such a law is not an Article 368 amendment and needs only a simple majority.
6.The name of a State is recorded in the First Schedule to the Constitution, which would have to be amended for the change.
True. The First Schedule lists the States and their names; Kerala asked for it to be amended.
7.Article 3 can be used to alter the area and boundaries of a State but not its name.
False. Article 3 also covers altering the name of a State.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Mains practice
15 marks · 250 words
The Union Cabinet has approved renaming the State of Kerala as 'Keralam', and the President will refer the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the State Legislature under Article 3. In this context, examine the constitutional provisions governing the formation of new States and the alteration of the name, area and boundaries of existing States. How far does this procedure protect the interests of the States in India's federal structure?
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.