Official Language
Language of the Union
- Hindi in Devanagari script is the official language.
- International form of Indian numerals for official purposes.
- English continued for 15 years from the Constitution's commencement (1950-1965).
- Parliament can provide for continued English use after 1965.
- President to appoint a commission to make recommendations regarding Hindi every 5 and 10 years from commencement of the Constitution
- A committee of Parliament examines the commission's recommendations and reports to the President.
- Official Language Commission appointed in 1955 under B.G. Kher; report submitted in 1956.
- Parliament enacted the Official Languages Act in 1963.
- The act provides for continued use of English indefinitely.
- Amended in 1967 to make English compulsory in certain cases.
Regional Languages
- State legislature may adopt any language or Hindi as official language.
- Until then, English continues as official language.
- States' choice not limited to languages in the Eighth Schedule.
- English as link language between Union and states, or between states.
- States can agree to use Hindi for communication.
- The Official Languages Act (1963) mandates English use between Union and non-Hindi states.
- Hindi communication between Hindi and non-Hindi states must include English translation.
Language of the Judiciary and Texts of Laws
- English is used in the Supreme Court and high courts.
- Authoritative texts of bills, acts, ordinances, orders, rules, regulations, and bylaws are in English.
- Governor, with President's consent, can authorize Hindi or state's official language in high court proceedings (excluding judgements, decrees, and orders).
- State legislature can prescribe any language for bills, acts, etc., but an English translation must be published.
- The Official Languages Act of 1963: Hindi translation of acts, etc., published under President's authority, are authoritative texts.
- Every bill introduced in the Parliament is to be accompanied by a Hindi translation.
Special Directives
Protection of Linguistic Minorities
- Right to submit representation in any language used in the Union or state.
- State and local authority should provide instruction in mother-tongue at primary level.
- President can issue directions for instruction in mother-tongue.
- President appoints special officer for linguistic minorities.
Development of Hindi Language
- The Centre to promote Hindi's spread and development.
- Enrich Hindi by assimilating forms from Hindustani and other languages in the Eighth Schedule.
- Draw vocabulary primarily from Sanskrit and secondarily on other languages.
Eighth Schedule
- Specifies 22 languages.
- Originally 14 languages.
- Sindhi added by the 21st Amendment Act of 1967.
- Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali added by the 71st Amendment Act of 1992.
- Bodo, Dongri, Maithili and Santhali added by the 92nd Amendment Act of 2003.
- Odia.
Objectives:
- Representation in Official Language Commission.
- Enrichment of Hindi language.
Committee of Parliament on Official Language
- Set up in 1976 as per the Official Languages Act (1963).
- 30 members of Parliament (20 from Lok Sabha, 10 from Rajya Sabha).
- Reviews Hindi's progress for official purposes.
- Submits report to President.
- President lays report before each House and sends to State Governments.
- The President may issue directions in accordance with the whole or any part of the report.
- Chairman elected by members (Union Home Minister by convention).
- Reviews Hindi's use in Central Government, medium of instructions, and recruitment.
Classical Language Status
- Government of India created this category in 2004.
| Sl. No. | Languages | Year of Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Tamil | 2004 |
| 2. | Sanskrit | 2005 |
| 3. | Telugu | 2008 |
| 4. | Kannada | 2008 |
| 5. | Malayalam | 2013 |
| 6. | Odia | 2014 |
Benefits
- International awards for scholars.
- 'Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Languages'.
- University Grants Commission creates Professional Chairs for Classical Languages.
Criteria
- High antiquity of texts/recorded history (1500-2000 years).
- Ancient literature/texts considered valuable heritage.
- Original literary tradition.
- Distinct from modern language with possible discontinuity.