OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
Polity
INTRODUCTION
• India is one of the world’s most linguistically diverse nations, with hundreds of languages spoken across regions.
• To manage this diversity, the Constitution provides a legal, administrative and cultural framework for official languages under Part XVII (Articles 343–351).
• These provisions aim to balance national integration with linguistic autonomy, ensuring protection of linguistic minorities while promoting Hindi as the link language.
CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK – PART XVII (ARTICLES 343–351)
1. LANGUAGE OF THE UNION (ARTICLE 343)
• The official language of the Union is:
– Hindi in Devanagari script.
• Form of numerals: International numerals (1, 2, 3…).
Use of English:
• English shall continue for all official purposes of the Union.
• Parliament may decide its continued use even after the initial 15-year period (post-1965).
• In reality, English continues widely due to administrative convenience and national consensus.
2. COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE ON OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
• The President must appoint a Commission representing languages in the 8th Schedule to recommend:
– Progressive use of Hindi.
– Restricting use of English.
– Language of Supreme Court and High Courts.
– Form of numerals for official purposes.
• A Committee of Parliament on Official Language reviews recommendations and oversees implementation.
3. REGIONAL LANGUAGES OF THE STATES (ARTICLE 345)
• State legislatures may adopt:
– Any language in use in the state, OR
– Hindi as official language of the state.
• The Official Languages Act, 1963:
– English is used for communication between the Union and non-Hindi speaking states.
– Also between two states, if they do not use Hindi.
Examples:
• English adopted as official language by Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
Presidential direction:
• If a substantial population in a state desires recognition of their language, the President may direct the state to officially recognise it.
4. LANGUAGE OF THE JUDICIARY & TEXT OF LAWS (ARTICLE 348)
Until Parliament provides otherwise, the following must be in English:
• All proceedings of:
– Supreme Court
– High Courts
• Authoritative texts of:
– Bills, Acts, Ordinances
– Orders, rules and bye-laws (Central and State)
Use of Hindi in High Courts:
• Governor may permit use of Hindi or state’s official language in High Court proceedings (not judgments), with prior approval of the President.
• With approval, High Courts may issue judgments in regional languages, accompanied by English translations.
Supreme Court:
• Parliament has not permitted Hindi use.
• Therefore, Supreme Court functions exclusively in English.
5. SPECIAL DIRECTIVES FOR LINGUISTIC MINORITIES (ARTICLES 350–350B)
Safeguards:
• Any person may submit representations to any authority in any language used in the Union or State; it cannot be rejected for not being in the official language.
• States must provide facilities for education in mother tongue at primary stage for linguistic minority children.
Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities:
• Appointed by the President.
• Duties:
– Investigate matters relating to safeguards for linguistic minorities.
– Report to the President annually.
– Reports are laid before Parliament and sent to state governments.
6. DEVELOPMENT OF HINDI (ARTICLE 351)
• The Constitution places a duty upon the Union to promote:
– Spread of Hindi
– Development of Hindi as lingua franca of India
– Assimilation of elements from other Indian languages
• However, such promotion must respect linguistic diversity and should not harm non-Hindi languages.
LANGUAGES IN THE EIGHTH SCHEDULE
• Originally 14 languages.
• Currently 22 languages.
Amendments adding languages:
• 21st Amendment Act (1967): Sindhi
• 71st Amendment Act (1992): Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali
• 92nd Amendment Act (2003): Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Santhali
Current List:
Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Bodo, Santhali, Maithili, Dogri.
BENEFITS OF INCLUSION IN 8th SCHEDULE
• Representation in Official Language Commission.
• Language can be used for UPSC examinations.
• Government promotion and preservation efforts.
CLASSICAL LANGUAGE STATUS
• The idea of “Classical Languages” is not explicitly in the Constitution but derives from Articles 344(1) and 351.
• Criteria for Classical Language:
– High antiquity (1500–2000 years)
– Ancient literature of high value
– Original literary tradition (not borrowed)
Languages granted Classical Status (till 2021):
1. Tamil – 2004
2. Sanskrit – 2005
3. Telugu – 2008
4. Kannada – 2008
5. Malayalam – 2013
6. Odia – 2014
Benefits:
• Financial assistance for research centres.
• Awards and scholarships for scholars.
• International promotion of language.
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE ACT, 1963 – KEY FEATURES
• English continues alongside Hindi for all Union purposes.
• English compulsory for communication between Union and non-Hindi states.
• States are free to adopt any language.
Why needed?
• To prevent conflict during Hindi transition period.
• To ensure linguistic harmony in a multilingual Union.
POLITICAL & ADMINISTRATIVE CHALLENGES
• Tension between promotion of Hindi and linguistic autonomy.
• Non-Hindi speaking states resist attempts of “Hindi imposition”.
• Judiciary’s dependence on English continues.
• Slow implementation of bilingual or regional-language court proceedings.
• Limited progress in mother-tongue primary education in many states.
SIGNIFICANCE OF INDIA’S LANGUAGE POLICY
• Reflects unity in diversity.
• Balances national integration with cultural identity.
• Protects linguistic minorities.
• Promotes inclusive administration and education.
• Strengthens cooperative federalism.
OPSC MAINS ENRICHMENT POINTS
• India’s language policy is pluralistic, not assimilationist.
• It follows the principle of “co-existence”, not “replacement”.
• Safeguards prevent dominance of any single language.
• Promotes mother-tongue education, aiding learning and cognitive development.
• Strengthens cultural heritage through classical language recognition.
• Judicial reliance on English ensures uniformity but reduces accessibility.
CONCLUSION
India’s official language framework is a careful blend of constitutional values, administrative pragmatism and cultural sensitivity. While promoting Hindi as a unifying link language, it preserves linguistic diversity through strong protections for regional and minority languages. For OPSC aspirants, this topic is crucial for Polity, Governance, Federalism and Sociocultural Issues.
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Subject: Polity
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