Languages in Polity: Notes

 

Languages

Definition

Languages in polity refer to the official and recognized languages used in governance, administration, judiciary, and legislative matters in a country. In India, it is a crucial part of cultural and administrative integration.

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Constitutional Provisions in India

1. Official Language of Union (Article 343)

   • Hindi in Devanagari script is the official language of the Union.

   • English is permitted for official purposes for 15 years after Constitution commencement (extended indefinitely by law).

2. Language of the States (Article 345)

   • Each state can adopt its own official language(s) for state purposes.

3. Directive Principles (Articles 351)

   • Promote development of Hindi and encourage its use as a link language.

4. Schedule VIII of the Constitution

   • Lists 22 official languages recognized by the Constitution:
     Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu

5. Three Language Formula

   • Goal: Promote multilingualism in education.

   • In Hindi-speaking states: Hindi + English + Modern Indian Language (other than Hindi)

   • In Non-Hindi-speaking states: Regional Language + Hindi + English

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Important Points

• English continues as a subsidiary official language for legislative and administrative purposes.

• Hindi and English serve as link languages between different states.

• States can choose one or more languages for official purposes.

• Regional language promotion ensures cultural identity.

• Language policy maintains national integration while respecting diversity.

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Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

1. UPSC 2022: “List the official languages of India as per the Constitution.”

2. SSC 2021: “Explain the three-language formula in India.”

3. JKSSB 2020: “Which Article mentions Hindi as the official language of the Union?”

4. UPSC 2019: “Describe the role of Schedule VIII in recognizing Indian languages.”

5. SSC 2018: “What is the role of English in the Indian Constitution?”

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Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Official language of the Union of India is:
   a) English
   b) Hindi in Devanagari script
   c) Sanskrit
   d) Urdu
   Answer: b) Hindi in Devanagari script

2. English in India is used as:
   a) Regional language
   b) Official language only
   c) Link language and official purposes
   d) Not recognized
   Answer: c) Link language and official purposes

3. Which Article of the Constitution mentions official language of Union?
   a) Article 343
   b) Article 351
   c) Article 345
   d) Article 352
   Answer: a) Article 343

4. Number of languages listed in Schedule VIII:
   a) 20
   b) 22
   c) 18
   d) 24
   Answer: b) 22

5. Three-language formula aims to:
   a) Promote Hindi only
   b) Promote multilingualism
   c) Remove regional languages
   d) Promote Sanskrit
   Answer: b) Promote multilingualism

6. Article 345 deals with:
   a) Official language of Union
   b) Language of states
   c) Promotion of Hindi
   d) English as link language
   Answer: b) Language of states

7. Schedule VIII does NOT include:
   a) Urdu
   b) Punjabi
   c) English
   d) Maithili
   Answer: c) English

8. Which Article encourages development of Hindi?
   a) 343
   b) 345
   c) 351
   d) 352
   Answer: c) 351

9. In Hindi-speaking states, the three-language formula includes:
   a) Hindi + Sanskrit + English
   b) Hindi + English + Other Modern Indian Language
   c) Hindi + Urdu + English
   d) Hindi + Regional + Sanskrit
   Answer: b) Hindi + English + Other Modern Indian Language

10. Purpose of language policy in India:
    a) Promote national integration
    b) Eliminate diversity
    c) Promote only Hindi
    d) Use English only
    Answer: a) Promote national integration