Part XVII: Official Language
Articles 343–351 · Part XVII deals with India's official language policy — a historically sensitive and carefully negotiated compromise between Hindi and English, plus recognition for the country's many regional languages.
The provisions in this Part cited most often
With landmark Supreme Court cases that shaped how they're actually applied.
Official language of the Union
Names Hindi in the Devanagari script as the Union's official language — but the same Article also allowed English to continue for official purposes for an initial 15 years, later extended indefinitely by the Official Languages Act, 1963.
All of Articles 343–351
Grouped by subject so related provisions stay together — every article number in this Part is covered below.
Official language of the Union
Hindi in Devanagari script is the Union's official language; English continues in official use as well, per the Official Languages Act, 1963 (which extended the original 15-year transition period indefinitely).
Commission and Committee on official language
Requires a Presidential Commission (and later a Parliamentary Committee) to periodically review official language policy and recommend the pace of Hindi's progressive use.
Official language(s) of a State
Each State Legislature can adopt Hindi or any language used in that state as its own official language(s).
Language for inter-state and State-Union communication
Defaults to the Union's official language, with an opt-out allowing states to agree to use Hindi between themselves.
Special provision for a language spoken by a section of a State
Lets the President recognise an additional language spoken by a substantial population within a state.
Language of the Supreme Court, High Courts, and Central/State Acts
Requires English (unless Parliament or, for a specific High Court, the President authorises otherwise) for authoritative texts of laws, and for Supreme Court/High Court proceedings, though many High Courts now also permit Hindi/regional languages with authorised translations.
Special procedure for language-related legislation
Required the President's prior sanction for certain language-related Bills during an initial transition period.
Language to be used in representations for redress of grievances
Every person can submit a representation for redress of grievance to any Union or State authority in any language used in the Union or that state.
Facilities for instruction in the mother tongue
Directs States to provide primary education facilities in a child's mother tongue for linguistic minority groups.
Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities
A Presidentially-appointed watchdog investigating and reporting on linguistic minority safeguards nationwide.
Directive for development of the Hindi language
Directs the Union to promote the spread and development of Hindi as a medium of expression for India's composite culture, while drawing on other Indian languages (especially those in the Eighth Schedule).
Related rights categories
Quick answers about this Part
Is Hindi India's 'national language'?
Can I complain to a government office in my regional language?
This is a plain-language guide to Part XVII of the Constitution of India for general educational purposes, not a substitute for the bare text of the Constitution or professional legal advice. Article numbering and content reflect amendments up to 2026; always cross-check the authoritative text at india.gov.in or legislative.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter.