Eleanor Finch
India is known for its rich cultural and linguistic diversity, and its constitution reflects this. The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution recognises 22 official languages spoken across the country's 28 states and 8 Union Territories. The Indian constitution does not specify an official national language, but instead, Hindi and English are the official languages for governmental purposes. The Eighth Schedule has been amended several times since its adoption in 1949, with the number of recognised languages increasing from 14 to 22 over the years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of languages approved in the Indian Constitution | 22 |
| Date of adoption of the Indian Constitution | 1950 |
| Official languages of the Indian government | Hindi and English |
| Number of official languages at the time of adoption | 14 |
| Number of Constitutional Amendments | 4 |
| Date of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution | 1967 |
| Language added in the 21st Amendment | Sindhi |
| Date of the 71st Amendment | 1992 |
| Languages added in the 71st Amendment | Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali |
| Date of the 92nd Amendment | 2003 |
| Languages added in the 92nd Amendment | Bodo, Dogri, Santali, and Maithili |
| Date of the 96th Amendment | 2011 |
| Change made in the 96th Amendment | Spelling of Oriya changed to Odia |
Explore related products
![American Indian Tribal Law: [Connected eBook] (Aspen Coursebook Series)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81KetKmayRL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Hindi is the official language
Hindi has been recognised as the official language of India since the Indian constitution was adopted in 1950. However, it is important to note that India does not have a designated national language. While Hindi is the official language, it co-exists with English, which is also used for official purposes. The Indian constitution does not specify the official languages to be used by individual states, allowing each state to adopt its own official language or languages.
The history of Hindi as the official language in India dates back to the late 19th century. In 1881, Hindi replaced Urdu as the official language of Bihar, marking a significant step towards its eventual adoption as the official language of the country. Following independence, there was a divide among the Constituent Assembly, with some advocating for Hindi written in Devanagari to be declared the national language, while others preferred English. Despite the opposition, the Indian constitution declared Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language, with the provision that English would continue to be used for official purposes for a maximum of 15 years.
The Official Languages Act of 1963 further solidified the status of Hindi and English as the official languages of the Union government. This Act provided for the continued use of English alongside Hindi, even beyond the initial 15-year period. The Act also established the Department of Official Language, which is responsible for setting annual targets for the amount of correspondence conducted in Hindi. Additionally, a Parliament Committee on Official Language was formed in 1976 to periodically review the progress in the use of Hindi and submit reports to the President.
Hindi has a rich literary history, dating back to the 12th century. It gained prominence as a symbol of national identity during India's struggle for freedom. The development of prose in the 18th century marked the emergence of Hindi as a full-fledged literary language. Today, Hindi has numerous dialects and is widely understood in many northern and central Indian states. However, it is important to acknowledge that Hindi is not universally spoken or understood throughout India, particularly in several North-Eastern and South Indian states.
Houses of Indian Democracy: A Constitutional Overview
You may want to see also
English is an additional language
The Indian Constitution, adopted in 1950, initially recognised 14 official languages. This list has since expanded to 22 official languages, with the most recent additions being Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santali in 2003. The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution lists the official languages, which include Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, and Punjabi, among others.
While Hindi is the official language of the Union, per Article 343 of the Indian Constitution, English is recognised as an additional or 'associate' official language. This means that English is used alongside Hindi for official purposes, particularly in government communications and documentation. The Official Languages Act of 1963 provided for the continued use of English for official purposes, even after the initial 15-year period following the adoption of the Constitution, during which English was to be phased out.
The Indian Constitution does not specify the official languages to be used by individual states, allowing each state to adopt its own official language or languages. English is often used in conjunction with Hindi or the state's chosen language for official purposes. For example, communications within offices of the same department must be in Hindi if located in a Hindi-speaking state, and in either Hindi or English otherwise. Additionally, English is used as the language of communication between states that have not adopted Hindi as their official language.
English is also used as a medium of instruction in schools, particularly for teaching English as a second language. The Indian government recognises the importance of English as a language of higher education, media, trade, and international negotiations. Furthermore, individuals have the right to submit petitions to government authorities in any language used in India, including English.
In conclusion, while Hindi is the official language of the Union, English is recognised as an additional official language in India, playing a significant role in government, education, and communication across the country.
The Dynamic Indian Constitution: Rigidity and Flexibility
You may want to see also
22 official languages are recognised
India is known for its rich cultural and linguistic diversity, and this is reflected in its multitude of languages and dialects. The country does not have a designated national language as per its Constitution. Instead, the Indian Constitution recognises 22 official languages, which are spoken extensively across various regions. The 22 languages are:
- Assamese
- Bengali
- Bodo
- Dogri
- Gujarati
- Hindi
- Kannada
- Kashmiri
- Konkani
- Malayalam
- Manipuri
- Marathi
- Maithili
- Nepali
- Odia (formerly Oriya)
- Punjabi
- Sanskrit
- Santhali
- Sindhi
- Tamil
- Telugu
- Urdu
The recognition of these 22 languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution highlights the country's commitment to preserving and promoting its diverse linguistic heritage. The absence of a single national language is a testament to India's respect for the cultural and linguistic identities of its various states and union territories.
The Eighth Schedule, which was adopted in 1949, initially contained 14 official languages. Over the years, through various constitutional amendments, the list has been expanded to include additional languages. The latest amendment, in 2003, added four languages, bringing the total to 22.
While Hindi and English are designated as the official languages for governmental purposes, the Indian Constitution allows for the use of other languages as well. Article 343(1) of the Indian Constitution states that Hindi, written in Devanagari script, is the official language of the Union. English is recognised as an additional official language, to be used alongside Hindi. However, the continued use of English is not permanent and is subject to review by the Indian Parliament.
The Indian Constitution: Understanding the Powerful Preamble
You may want to see also
Explore related products
States can adopt their own official languages
India is one of the world's most linguistically diverse nations, with 121 languages and 270 mother tongues spoken across the country. The Indian Constitution, adopted in 1950, does not specify an official language to be used by states for their official functions. Instead, it leaves each state free to adopt, through its legislature, any language used in its territory as its official language. This flexibility allows states to choose the language that best suits their local needs and ensures effective communication within their jurisdictions.
The Indian Constitution initially designated Hindi as the official language, with English serving as an additional official language for a maximum of 15 years. However, due to resistance from non-Hindi speaking areas, particularly Dravidian-speaking states, the Official Languages Act of 1963 maintained English as an official language alongside Hindi. This act was further amended in 1967 to ensure that English would continue to be used until all states that had not adopted Hindi as their official language passed a resolution to that effect.
The Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India, last updated in 2025, now recognises 22 official languages, including Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. These languages are chosen to facilitate smooth public and private affairs in a country with vast linguistic diversity.
While states have the autonomy to adopt their own official languages, they must also ensure that their chosen language is used in judicial proceedings in their respective High Courts. The Governor, with the consent of the President of India, authorises the use of Hindi, the state's official language, or the language of the legislature in such legal contexts. Four states, namely Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, have been granted the right to conduct proceedings in their High Courts in their official language, which is Hindi.
In conclusion, the Indian Constitution's approach to official languages reflects the country's rich linguistic diversity. By allowing states to adopt their own official languages, India ensures effective communication, respects local linguistic traditions, and promotes inclusivity in a nation with a vast array of mother tongues.
Indian Removal Act: Constitutional or Not?
You may want to see also
No national language
India is a diverse country with a wide range of languages and dialects. The Indian Constitution, adopted in 1950, does not specify a national language. This decision was reached after much debate and resistance to the idea of making Hindi the sole official language.
The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution lists 22 languages, which are recognised and given official encouragement. These languages include Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Meitei (Manipuri), Odia, Punjabi, Tamil and Telugu. The list is not static and has been expanded over the years through Constitutional Amendments. The languages on the list are entitled to representation on the Official Languages Commission, and the government is obliged to take measures to develop these languages.
The Indian Constitution grants each state the freedom to adopt any language used in its territory as its official language. This language need not be one of those listed in the Eighth Schedule, and several states have adopted official languages that are not included, such as Kokborok in Tripura and Mizo in Mizoram. The constitution also guarantees the right to submit a petition to a government authority in any language used in India.
While the Indian Constitution does not specify a national language, it does declare official languages for the Union government. Hindi, in the Devanagari script, is the official language, and English is an additional official language. The Official Languages Act of 1963 provided for the continued use of English for official purposes, alongside Hindi, indefinitely. This was a compromise, as there was a plan to phase out English in favour of Hindi over a 15-year period. However, this proposal faced resistance, especially in non-Hindi speaking areas, and was eventually dropped.
A New Constitution for India: Is It Necessary?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Indian Constitution recognises 22 languages.
The 22 languages recognised by the Indian Constitution are: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Maithili, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
The Indian Constitution does not mention a national language. However, the Official Languages Act of 1963 states that English and Hindi are the official languages of India.
