Official Language of India (Article 343–351)
Part XVII of the Indian Constitution talks about official languages.
It covers Articles 343 to 351.
These articles are divided into four parts:
Language of the Union
Regional (State) languages
Language of the Judiciary
Texts of laws and special instructions
1️⃣ Language of the Union (Central Government)
What language does the Union use?
Hindi written in Devanagari script is the official language of the Union.
But:
Numbers used for official work must be international numerals (1, 2, 3).
Devanagari numerals are not used.
Role of English
From 1950 to 1965 (15 years):
English continued as the official language for Union work.
After 1965:
Parliament can decide to continue English.
Parliament did this by passing a law.
Language Commissions
After 5 years and 10 years from 1950:
The President must appoint a commission.
The commission’s job:
Suggest how to increase use of Hindi.
Decide how much English should be reduced.
Look at other language-related issues.
Parliamentary Committee
A Parliamentary Committee is formed to:
Study the commission’s recommendations.
Give its opinion to the President.
What actually happened?
1955:
Official Language Commission set up.
Chairman: B. G. Kher
1956:
Commission submitted its report.
1957:
Parliamentary Committee formed.
Chairman: Govind Ballabh Pant
1960:
A second commission (as planned in the Constitution) was NOT appointed.
Official Languages Act, 1963
Parliament passed this law to:
Allow English + Hindi for Union’s official work.
Allow English in Parliament.
Important point:
English can be used without any time limit.
Amendment of 1967
English was made compulsory (along with Hindi) for:
Government orders, rules, notifications.
Reports and documents placed before Parliament.
Contracts, agreements, licences, permits, notices, etc.
2️⃣ Regional Languages (State Languages)
Does the Constitution fix a language for states?
No.
Each state has the freedom to choose.
How can a state choose its language?
A state legislature may:
Choose any language used in the state, or
Choose Hindi.
Until the state decides:
English continues as the official language.
👉 Most states have chosen their main regional language.
👉 The language need not be from the Eighth Schedule.
Communication between Union and States
For now:
English is the link language between:
Union and states
One state and another state
But:
Two or more states can agree to use Hindi between themselves.
Official Languages Act, 1963 (Communication rules)
English must be used for:
Communication between the Union and non-Hindi states.
If:
A Hindi-speaking state communicates with a non-Hindi state in Hindi:
An English translation is compulsory.
Protection of Linguistic Minorities
If:
A large section of people in a state demands recognition of their language,
Then:
The President can direct the state to officially recognise that language.
Purpose:
To protect language minorities in states.
Language of the Judiciary and Texts of Laws
The Constitution explains which language courts and laws must use.
1. Language used in Courts and Laws (Default Rule)
Until Parliament changes the rule, the following must be only in English:
(a) Court Proceedings
All proceedings in:
Supreme Court
All High Courts
(b) Texts of Laws
The official (authoritative) texts of:
Bills
Acts
Ordinances
Orders
Rules
Regulations
By-laws
This applies to both Central and State levels.
2. Use of Hindi or State Language in High Courts
The Governor of a state, with President’s permission, may allow:
Hindi or
Any other official language of the state
to be used in High Court proceedings.
Important Limitation
Judgements, decrees, and orders of High Courts:
Must be in English only
Unless Parliament decides otherwise
3. Language of State Laws
A State Legislature can make laws in:
Any language other than English
But:
An English translation must be published
English version remains important for legal clarity
Official Languages Act, 1963 (Judiciary & Laws)
The Act makes these rules clearer:
Hindi as Authoritative Text
Hindi translations of:
Acts
Ordinances
Orders
Rules
Regulations
By-laws
issued under President’s authority are treated as authoritative.
Parliament Bills
Every Bill introduced in Parliament:
Must have a Hindi translation
State Laws
In certain cases:
Hindi translation of State Acts and Ordinances is compulsory
High Court Judgements in Hindi
The Act allows:
Governors (with President’s consent)
To permit Hindi or state language for:
Judgements
Decrees
Orders of High Courts
Condition:
An English translation must also be provided
Supreme Court Language
Parliament has not allowed Hindi in the Supreme Court.
Therefore:
Supreme Court works only in English
Petitions and appeals must be filed in English
Authorised Translations (Central Laws) Act, 1973
If a Central law is translated into:
Any Eighth Schedule language (except Hindi)
And published in the Official Gazette:
That translation is treated as an authoritative legal text in that language
Special Directives
The Constitution gives special instructions for:
Protection of linguistic minorities
Development of Hindi language
A. Protection of Linguistic Minorities
1. Right to Submit Complaints in Any Language
Any person can submit a complaint or representation:
In any language used in the Union or the state
Authorities cannot reject it just because it is not in the official language
2. Mother-Tongue Education
States and local authorities must:
Provide primary education in mother tongue
For children of linguistic minorities
President can:
Issue directions to states for this purpose
3. Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities
President must appoint a Special Officer to:
Examine protection of linguistic minorities
Report to the President
President must:
Place the report before Parliament
Send it to concerned State Governments
B. Development of Hindi Language
The Constitution directs the Central Government to:
Promote Hindi so it becomes:
A common language of India’s mixed culture
Improve Hindi by:
Using words and styles from Hindustani
Taking vocabulary mainly from Sanskrit
Also borrowing from other Eighth Schedule languages
Eighth Schedule Languages
Initially: 14 languages
Currently: 22 languages
Present Languages
Assamese
Bengali
Bodo
Dogri
Gujarati
Hindi
Kannada
Kashmiri
Konkani
Maithili
Malayalam
Manipuri
Marathi
Nepali
Odia
Punjabi
Sanskrit
Santhali
Sindhi
Tamil
Telugu
Urdu
Additions
Sindhi – 1967 (21st Amendment)
Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali – 1992 (71st Amendment)
Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Santhali – 2003 (92nd Amendment)
“Oriya” renamed as Odia – 2011 (96th Amendment)
Why Eighth Schedule Languages Matter
Two main purposes:
Speakers get representation in the Official Language Commission
Their language styles help enrich Hindi
Committee of Parliament on Official Language
Formation
Created under Official Languages Act, 1963
Set up in 1976
Composition
30 Members of Parliament:
20 from Lok Sabha
10 from Rajya Sabha
Functions
Review progress of Hindi use in Union’s official work
Submit report to the President
President:
Places report before Parliament
Sends it to State Governments
Issues directions after considering views
Chairman
Elected by members
By convention:
Union Home Minister is the Chairman
Scope of Review
The Committee also studies:
Medium of instruction in schools and universities
Recruitment language in Central services
Language of departmental exams
Government circulars and instructions
Classical Language Status
Introduced in 2004
Government created a new category:
Classical Languages
Benefits
International awards for scholars
Centres of Excellence
Professional Chairs in Central Universities
Criteria for Classical Language
A language must have:
Recorded history of 1500–2000 years
Rich ancient literature
Original literary tradition
Clear difference between classical and modern form