Maarg Manthan · Topic 28.8

Eighth Schedule: Languages Recognized by the Constitution (22 Languages)

Indian Polity › Schedules of the Constitution · Topic 28.8

The Eighth Schedule lists 22 languages recognised by the Constitution (14 originally), which are represented in the Official Language Commission and used to enrich Hindi under Articles 344(1) and 351.

5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Polity · Schedules of the Constitution

At a Glance

What it is List of the languages recognised by the Constitution
Articles 344(1) and 351
Languages 22 (originally 14)
Latest addition Bodo, Dogri, Maithili and Santhali by the 92nd Amendment, 2003
Exam link UPSC Prelims, Polity: Schedules of the Constitution

Where Does It Fit?

This is the eighth topic of the category on the Schedules of the Constitution. The Eighth Schedule specifies 22 languages, originally 14, as languages recognised by the Constitution. It links to Articles 344(1) and 351, which deal with the Official Language Commission and the development of Hindi.

The 22 Languages and Additions

Amendment	Languages added
Original (1950)	Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu (14)
21st Amendment, 1967	Sindhi
71st Amendment, 1992	Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali
92nd Amendment, 2003	Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Santhali

The full list at present is Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. Oriya was renamed Odia by the 96th Amendment Act of 2011. The 92nd Amendment passed in 2003 included four more languages.

Why the Schedule Exists

In terms of the constitutional provisions there are two objectives behind specifying these regional languages. First, members of these languages are to be given representation in the Official Language Commission. Second, the forms, style and expressions of these languages are to be used for the enrichment of the Hindi language. The Constitution imposes a duty on the Centre to promote the spread and development of the Hindi language so that it may become the lingua franca of the composite culture of India, and to secure the enrichment of Hindi by assimilating the forms, style and expression of Hindustani and of other languages specified in the Eighth Schedule, drawing its vocabulary primarily on Sanskrit and secondarily on other languages (Article 351). The Eighth Schedule also relates to eligibility in other provisions: for instance, to be registered as a citizen by naturalisation, a person must have adequate knowledge of a language specified in the Eighth Schedule.

Official Language Provisions Around It

Hindi in the Devanagari script is the official language of the Union, and English was to continue for fifteen years from the commencement of the Constitution. The President was to appoint an Official Language Commission at the end of five and ten years. In 1955 the President appointed the Official Language Commission under B.G. Kher, whose report of 1956 was examined by a Parliamentary committee under Govind Ballabh Pant constituted in 1957. A second commission was not appointed in 1960. Parliament then enacted the Official Languages Act, 1963, which allows English to continue in addition to Hindi for all official purposes of the Union and for the business of Parliament without any time limit, and the Act was amended in 1967 to make the use of English, in addition to Hindi, compulsory in certain cases. It also set up the Committee of Parliament on Official Language, constituted in 1976, with 30 members, 20 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha, to review the progress made in the use of Hindi for the official purposes of the Union and report to the President.

States and the Judiciary

Matter	Provision
Official language of a state	Legislature may adopt one or more languages in use in the state or Hindi; until then English continues; the choice is not limited to the Eighth Schedule
Link language	English remains the link language between the Union and states; two or more states may agree to use Hindi
Language of the Supreme Court and High Courts	English until Parliament provides otherwise; Governor may authorise Hindi or a state language in High Court proceedings with the President’s consent
Authorised translations	Authorised Translations (Central Laws) Act, 1973 deems translations in Eighth Schedule languages other than Hindi to be authoritative
Recognising a language in a state	The President may direct on demand if a substantial proportion of the population desires it

The Supreme Court hears only those who petition or appeal in English, as Parliament has made no provision for Hindi in the Supreme Court.

Why Is This Topic Important?

List and counts Names and amendments are asked
Official language link Linked with Part XVII
Recent additions Four in 2003

What Came Next?

The next topic covers the Ninth Schedule, the validation of certain Acts and Regulations.

Key People and Terms

Eighth Schedule List of recognised languages
Article 351 Development of Hindi
Official Languages Act, 1963 Continued English use
Link language English between the Union and states
Kher Commission First Official Language Commission

Exam Corner

Points to Remember

22 languages; originally 14.
Sindhi: 1967; Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali: 1992.
Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Santhali: 2003.
Oriya renamed Odia: 2011.
Articles 344(1) and 351.

Do Not Confuse With

Eighth Schedule and official language Recognised versus official
71st and 92nd Amendments Three versus four languages
Hindi and English in Parliament 1963 Act continues English

Memory Hook

Fourteen grew to twenty-two: Sindhi 1967, three in 1992, four in 2003.

Mains Angle

Questions on this topic usually ask about linguistic diversity and official language policy. Use these points to add depth.

Recognition versus official use Eighth Schedule meaning
Hindi development Article 351
English continuation 1963 Act
State choice Not limited to the Schedule

A Question You May Face

An original practice question, not a past paper question.

“Examine the significance of the Eighth Schedule in the context of India’s linguistic diversity.”

How to Answer

Introduction 22 languages.
Objectives Two purposes.
Policy Official Languages Act.
Conclusion Debate.

GS Relevance

Prelims: Indian Polity, schedules. GS Paper 2: Official language and diversity.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many languages are in the Eighth Schedule?

The Eighth Schedule specifies 22 languages, originally 14, after additions of Sindhi in 1967, Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali in 1992, and Bodo, Dogri, Maithili and Santhali in 2003, with Oriya renamed Odia in 2011., as the Schedule now stands.

What are the two objectives of the Eighth Schedule?

Members of these languages are to be represented in the Official Language Commission, and the forms, style and expression of these languages are to be used for the enrichment of the Hindi language under Article 351.

Does the Eighth Schedule make a language an official language?

No. The Schedule recognises the language, but a state legislature can adopt any language in use in the state or Hindi as its official language, and the choice is not limited to the languages in the Eighth Schedule.

What does the Official Languages Act, 1963 provide?

It allows English to continue, in addition to Hindi, for all official purposes of the Union and the business of Parliament without any time limit, and it was amended in 1967 to make English compulsory in certain cases.

Which language is used in the Supreme Court?

Proceedings in the Supreme Court and High Courts are in English until Parliament provides otherwise, and Parliament has made no provision for Hindi in the Supreme Court, which therefore hears only those who petition or appeal in English.

PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis

1 The Eighth Schedule has 22 languages.

True

Originally 14.

2 Sindhi was added by the 21st Amendment.