Simone Lawson
The Indian Constitution, adopted in 1950, initially recognised 14 languages, but amendments over the years have led to the inclusion of more languages. As of 2024, there are 22 languages officially recognised by the Indian Constitution, with provisions in place to protect the interests of linguistic minorities and promote the development of the Hindi language.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Languages in the Indian Constitution | 22 |
| Year of Adoption | 1950 |
| Official Language | Hindi |
| Script | Devanagari |
| Number of Languages at the Time of Adoption | 14 |
| Additional Official Language | English |
| Duration of English's Official Status | 15 years |
| Languages Added in 1967 | Sindhi |
| Languages Added in 1992 | Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali |
| Languages Added in 2003 | Bodo, Dogri, Santali, Maithili |
| Language with Spelling Change in 2003 | Oriya to Odia |
| Classical Languages as of 2016 | 6 |
| Constitutional Right to Submit Grievances | Any Language Used in India |
| Languages on the Official Website of the Indian Prime Minister's Office | 12 |
| Languages in the Press Information Bureau | 15 |
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
The Indian Constitution recognised 14 languages in 1950
The Indian Constitution, adopted in 1950, recognised 14 languages. These included Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, and Telugu.
The recognition of these languages was the result of a lengthy and divided debate within the Constituent Assembly. The Assembly discussed the inclusion of languages in the Constitution on 12, 13, and 14 September 1949, with some members advocating for the inclusion of English, recognising its importance to the Anglo-Indian community. Others argued for the inclusion of Sanskrit, recognising it as India's ancient language. One member also pleaded for the inclusion of Adivasi languages such as Mundari, Gondi, and Oraon, spoken by a significant section of the population.
Ultimately, the Assembly agreed to include 14 languages in the Constitution, with the understanding that English would be phased out in favour of Hindi as the official language over a 15-year period. However, due to opposition and alarm in non-Hindi speaking areas, especially Dravidian-speaking states, this change was never fully implemented. The Official Languages Act of 1963 maintained the use of English for official purposes alongside Hindi.
Over the years, the list of recognised languages in the Indian Constitution has expanded through various Constitutional Amendments. In 1967, the 21st Constitutional Amendment Act added Sindhi. In 1992, the 71st Constitutional Amendment Act added Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali. The list continued to grow, and as of 2025, 22 languages are recognised under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
Understanding Written Constitution: Definition and Significance
You may want to see also
The Official Languages Act of 1963
The Act specifies that the authoritative text of any Central Act, ordinance, order, rule, regulation, or by-law issued under the Constitution or a Central Act, will be published in an official gazette in Hindi, under the authority of the President. This authoritative text in Hindi will be deemed to be the official text.
Additionally, any English-language text of a Bill or amendment introduced in either House of Parliament will be accompanied by an official translation in Hindi. This translation will be authorised in a manner prescribed by rules created under this Act.
In certain cases, where a State Legislature has prescribed a language other than Hindi for Acts or Ordinances, a translation in Hindi may be published in the Official Gazette of the State. This translation will be deemed the authoritative text in Hindi. This provision also applies to a translation in English, as required by Article 348, Clause 3 of the Constitution.
The Act also allows for the optional use of Hindi or other official languages in judgments, decrees, or orders passed by High Courts. The Governor of a State may, with the President's consent, authorise the use of Hindi or the State's official language, in addition to English, for these purposes. When a judgment, decree, or order is passed in a language other than English, it must be accompanied by an English translation issued under the authority of the High Court.
Sweden's Unwritten Constitution: A Unique System
You may want to see also
The 22 official languages of India
India is a diverse country with a rich linguistic heritage. The Indian Constitution, adopted in 1950, does not give any single language the status of a national language. Instead, it recognises 22 languages, which are referred to as the "scheduled languages" and are given official status and encouragement. These languages are Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri/Meitei, Marathi, Maithili, Nepali, Odia/Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
The recognition of these 22 languages reflects India's commitment to preserving and promoting its diverse linguistic landscape. Each of these languages has a rich history and cultural significance within India's vast and varied communities. The Indian government has also awarded the distinction of "classical language" to some of these languages, including Assamese, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Sanskrit, Tamil, and Telugu, in recognition of their ancient origins and rich literary heritage.
The journey towards determining India's official languages has been a complex and contentious one. Following independence, there were debates within the Constituent Assembly about whether to declare Hindi as the national language immediately, and if so, what script it should be written in. There were also proposals to retain English as an official language, with some arguing for a gradual transition to Hindi over a 15-year period.
The Indian Constitution, in 1950, declared Hindi in Devanagari script to be the official language of the union. It was decided that English would be phased out for official purposes within 15 years. However, this decision faced resistance, particularly in non-Hindi speaking areas such as Tamil Nadu and other Dravidian-speaking states. As a result, the Official Languages Act of 1963 was enacted, allowing for the continued use of English alongside Hindi for official purposes.
Today, India's official language policy is shaped by various factors, including the provisions of the Constitution, the Official Languages Act of 1963, the Official Languages Rules of 1976, and the efforts of governmental bodies such as the Kendriya Hindi Samiti, which promotes the use of Hindi. The individual states of India also have the autonomy to legislate their official languages based on their unique linguistic demographics.
Iran's Constitution: A Written or Unwritten Law?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Dravidian-speaking states opposed Hindi
The Indian Constitution of 1950 declared Hindi in Devanagari script to be the official language of the union. This decision was met with resistance in many parts of the country, particularly in Dravidian-speaking states like Tamil Nadu, where there was a history of opposing the imposition of the Hindi language. The Dravidian languages are primarily spoken in the southern and central parts of South Asia, with two main outliers: Brahui, with speakers in Balochistan, and Kurukh, found in the northeast of the Indian subcontinent. Dravidian languages have a long literary tradition and include Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam, covering the southern part of India and the northeast of Sri Lanka. Together, these languages account for the majority of Dravidian speakers.
Tamil Nadu, a state with a significant population of Dravidian speakers, has historically opposed the imposition of Hindi. This opposition dates back to 1937 when the Justice Party resisted the Congress-led Madras Government's decision to make Hindi compulsory in secondary and middle schools. The fear among Dravidian speakers was that the promotion of Hindi would impose a foreign language on the Tamil people and threaten their native language. This narrative has persisted for years, influencing the view that Hindi is a threat to Tamil culture and identity.
The DMK government in Tamil Nadu has been a prominent opponent of the Hindi language. They have led anti-Hindi agitations and fought against the inclusion of Hindi as a third language in the state's education system. The DMK's stance is rooted in Dravidianist ideology, which advocates for a two-language system of Tamil and English. However, their opposition to Hindi has been criticised as hypocritical due to their support for the use of Urdu, a language closely tied to Hindi. The DMK has facilitated the establishment of Urdu-medium schools and the translation of textbooks from English to Urdu.
The resistance from Dravidian-speaking states and other non-Hindi speaking areas led to the enactment of the Official Languages Act of 1963. This legislation allowed for the continued use of English for official purposes alongside Hindi, even after the initial 15-year transition period stipulated in the 1950 Constitution. The 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 Constitution's Journey: Drafting America's Future
You may want to see also
English is not one of the official languages
The Indian Constitution, adopted in 1950, does not specify the official languages to be used by the states for official functions. Instead, it leaves each state free to adopt any language used in its territory as its official language.
Article 343 of the Constitution of India, enacted in 1950, declared Hindi to be the official language of the Union and stated that English would serve as an additional official language for a period not exceeding 15 years. However, due to opposition from non-Hindi-speaking states, English continued to be used for official purposes beyond the 15-year period.
The Official Languages Act of 1963, which came into effect on 26 January 1965, allowed for the continued use of English alongside Hindi in the Indian government. This act was amended in 1967 to provide that English would not be discontinued until a resolution to that effect was passed by each state that had not adopted Hindi as its official language.
While English is not one of the official languages of India, it is recognised as an official language in seven states and seven union territories, and as an additional official language in seven other states and one union territory. It is also the sole official language of the Judiciary of India, unless the state governor or legislature mandates the use of a regional language or the President of India approves the use of regional languages in courts.
English is also widely used for communication by the Government of India and is enshrined in the Constitution of India. It is used in education and is associated with economic progress, with fluent English speakers earning higher salaries.
Malta's Constitution: Written or Unwritten?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
22 languages are officially recognised in the Indian Constitution as of 2024.
The Indian Constitution recognises the following languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Maithili, Nepali, Odia (previously Oriya), Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu.
Yes, the number of languages recognised by the Indian Constitution has changed since its adoption in 1950. At the time, only 14 languages were recognised. Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali were added in 1992, and Bodo, Dogri, Santhali and Maithili were added in 2003.
Hindi is the official language of India, with English recognised as an additional official language for official purposes.
