1. Language of the Union

  • Official Language: Hindi in the Devanagari script is the official language of India. International numerals are used for official purposes.
  • Transitional Use of English: English was to remain for official purposes for 15 years post-constitution commencement (i.e., until 1965). However, the Official Languages Act of 1963 allowed indefinite use of English alongside Hindi.
  • Official Language Commission: The Constitution mandates the President to appoint a commission periodically to recommend measures for promoting Hindi and reducing English usage.

2. Regional Languages

  • State Choice: States may adopt any regional language or Hindi as their official language. Until a choice is made, English remains the default.
  • Inter-State Communication: English serves as the default for Union-state and inter-state communication, with options for states to mutually agree to use Hindi instead.
  • Minority Language Rights: On demand, the President can recognize languages spoken by significant state populations for official use, ensuring minority linguistic rights.

3. Language of the Judiciary and Legal Texts

  • Language for Proceedings: English is mandated for Supreme Court and high court proceedings and official legislative texts unless Parliament decides otherwise.
  • State-Level Usage: States can authorize Hindi or regional languages in high court proceedings (excluding final judgments) with presidential consent.
  • Hindi Translations: Hindi translations of legislative texts, if published under the President’s authority, are deemed authoritative.

4. Special Directives for Language Policy

  • Linguistic Minorities: Individuals may represent grievances in any language used within the Union or state. States are encouraged to provide primary education in minority languages.
  • Appointment of Linguistic Officer: The President appoints an officer to safeguard minority language rights, with reports sent to Parliament and relevant state governments.

5. Development of Hindi Language

  • National Directive: The Constitution encourages promoting Hindi as a national language, enriched by elements from other languages, including those in the Eighth Schedule (currently listing 22 languages).

6. Committee of Parliament on Official Language

  • Role: Established under the 1963 Act, this Committee reviews the progress of Hindi’s use in government functions. It provides recommendations for increasing Hindi usage and reports to the President.

7. Classical Language Status

  • Recognition of Classical Languages: A special category was introduced in 2004 to honor languages meeting historical and cultural criteria, like Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia.
  • Benefits and Criteria: Classical languages are awarded resources for research, grants, and specialized university positions, emphasizing their long history, unique literary tradition, and distinction from modern languages.

8. Constitutional Provisions for Official Language (Articles Summary)

  • Article 343: Establishes Hindi in the Devanagari script as the official Union language, with English permitted for initial official purposes.
  • Article 344: Sets up a Commission and Committee of Parliament on Official Language to evaluate and recommend progressive use of Hindi.
  • Article 345: Allows states to adopt any official language for state matters.
  • Article 346: Specifies English as the language for inter-state communication, with an option for Hindi in mutual agreements between states.
  • Article 347: Provides that, on demand by a significant portion of a state’s population, the President can recognize a regional language for official use within that state.
  • Article 348: Mandates English for Supreme Court, High Court proceedings, and for Central and State laws unless Parliament enacts otherwise.
  • Article 349: Outlines a special procedure for laws related to language policy, emphasizing that these require the President’s recommendation.
  • Article 350A: Ensures linguistic minorities have facilities for instruction in their mother tongue at the primary stage.
  • Article 350B: Directs the appointment of a special officer to investigate and report on safeguards for linguistic minorities.
  • Article 351: Directs the Union to promote the spread and enrichment of Hindi, drawing vocabulary from Sanskrit and other languages listed in the Eighth Schedule.

9. Classical Language Status (Additional Details)

  • Benefits for Classical Languages:
    • Annual awards for distinguished scholars in Classical Indian Languages.
    • Establishment of ‘Centres of Excellence’ focused on classical language studies.
    • University Grants Commission initiatives to create faculty positions for Classical Indian Languages in central universities.
  • Eligibility Criteria:
    • High antiquity of texts, with a history spanning at least 1500–2000 years.
    • A significant body of ancient literature, valued as heritage by generations.
    • An independent literary tradition, not borrowed from other languages.
    • Distinctiveness from modern languages, with a possible discontinuity between the classical language and its modern versions or derivatives.

10. Linguistic Minorities and Education Rights

  • Grievance Redressal: All individuals have the right to communicate grievances in their preferred language within the Union or state jurisdictions.
  • Primary Education: States are required to provide primary education in the mother tongue for children from linguistic minority groups to promote inclusivity and preserve cultural heritage.
  • Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities: This officer, appointed by the President, monitors the implementation of constitutional safeguards for minorities and submits reports to Parliament, ensuring accountability.

11. Enrichment and Development of Hindi Language

  • The Constitution mandates the Central Government to promote Hindi as a unifying language by integrating elements from Hindustani and other Eighth Schedule languages.
  • Language Sources for Enrichment: Primarily Sanskrit, followed by contributions from other recognized languages, ensuring Hindi evolves in a way that reflects India’s diverse cultural and linguistic heritage.

12. Committee of Parliament on Official Language (Additional Details)

  • Constitution and Purpose: Formed in 1976, the Committee comprises 30 Parliament members (20 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha). It reviews the use of Hindi in government functions and submits recommendations to the President.
  • Functioning and Reporting: After deliberating on reports from government bodies, the Committee’s findings are presented to both houses of Parliament. Based on state and public feedback, the President may then issue directives for further implementation.
  • Areas of Focus: The Committee also reviews language use in educational institutions, recruitment examinations, and other public services, helping to shape policies to promote Hindi where feasible and respecting multilingual needs.

13. Practical Impact of the Official Languages Act (1963) and Amendments

  • Continued English Use: The Act formally enabled the indefinite use of English in conjunction with Hindi for official purposes, a key adjustment for multilingual governance.
  • Regional Language Flexibility: States maintain the right to choose their official language, allowing for diverse language policies tailored to local needs and population preferences.
  • Union-State Relations: The Act mandates English for Union-to-state communications with non-Hindi states, safeguarding linguistic neutrality and accessibility.

14. Eighth Schedule and Language Representation

  • Historical Development: The Eighth Schedule originally listed 14 languages, expanding to 22 to reflect the linguistic diversity of India. This includes languages like Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, and more.
  • Purpose of Inclusion: Languages in the Eighth Schedule are represented in the Official Language Commission and are included in efforts to enrich Hindi, ensuring broad cultural representation in language policy.