Languages with official recognition in India

The official languages of British India before independence were English, Hindustani and other Indian vernaculars, with English being used for purposes at the central level.{{cite book|last=Mollin|first=Sandra|title=Euro-English: assessing variety status|year=2006|publisher=Gunter Narr Verlag|isbn=978-3-8233-6250-0|page=17|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qPhULmMmqJMC&pg=PA17}} The origins of official Hindi usage traces back to the late 19th century. In 1881, Hindi replaced Urdu as the official language of Bihar; and in 1900, MacDonnell issued an order, which allowed the “permissive — but not exclusive — use” of Devanagari for Hindustani language in the courts of North-Western Provinces.{{Cite book|last=Rai|first=Alok|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fmnpssOM_3kC|title=Hindi Nationalism (tracks for the Times)|date=2001|publisher=Orient Blackswan|isbn=978-81-250-1979-4|language=en}}

Following independence, the Constituent Assembly remained divided on the language issue, with some like R. V. Dulekar and Seth Govind Das favouring declaring Hindi written in Devanagari the national language of India immediately, while within the camp favouring Hindi there were divisions over whether the script of the language should be Devanagari or Roman, whether Hindustani with both Devanagari and Urdu scripts be retained, and whether the numerals should be international or Devanagari. Meanwhile, some like Frank Anthony, T A Ramalingam Chettiar, and Naziruddin Ahmad wanted to continue the usage of English, while Nehru, although supporting the dropping of English as an official language in favour of Hindi/Hindustani, cautioned against forcefully doing so in face of opposition in the South.{{Cite news |date=14 September 2022 |title=Hindi Diwas, and the history of the debate over Hindi's status |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/explained-hindi-diwas-and-the-history-of-the-debate-over-hindis-status-8150724/ |access-date=18 September 2023 |newspaper=The Indian Express}}{{Cite web |date=14 September 2023 |title=Hindi Diwas: How Constituent Assembly decided on Hindi as the official, and not national, language of India |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-history/hindi-diwas-constituent-assembly-official-language-8940309/ |access-date=18 September 2023 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}} The Indian constitution, adopted in 1950, as a compromise envisaged that English would be phased out in favour of Hindi over a fifteen-year period, but gave Parliament the power to, by law, provide for the continued use of English even thereafter.Kanchan Chandra, [http://www.nyu.edu/gsas/dept/politics/faculty/chandra/ps2001.pdf "Ethnic Bargains, Group Instability, and Social Choice Theory", Politics and Society 29, 3: 337–62.]

Plans to make Hindi the sole official language of the Republic were met with resistance in many parts of the country, especially in Tamil Nadu, which had a history of opposing imposition of the Hindi language dating back to 1937, when the Justice Party opposed the then Congress led Madras Government's decision to make Hindi compulsory in secondary/middle schools.{{Cite news |last=Ramakrishnan |first=T. |date=17 October 2022 |title=Explained {{!}} Hindi imposition and its discontents |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/explained-hindi-imposition-and-its-discontents/article66023522.ece |access-date=18 September 2023 |issn=0971-751X}}

The Indian constitution, in 1950, declared Hindi in Devanagari script to be the official language of the union. Unless Parliament decided otherwise, the use of English for official purposes was to cease 15 years after the constitution came into effect, that is, on 26 January 1965. The prospect of the changeover, however, led to much alarm in the non-Hindi-speaking areas of India, especially Dravidian-speaking states whose languages were not related to Hindi whatsoever. As a result, Parliament enacted the Official Languages Act, 1963, which provided for the continued use of English for official purposes along with Hindi, even after 1965.{{cite web | url=http://www.rajbhasha.gov.in/dolruleseng.htm | title=The Official Languages (Use for Official Purpose of the Union) – Rules 1976 (As Amended, 1987) – Section 3(3) | access-date=10 June 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325173337/http://www.rajbhasha.gov.in/dolruleseng.htm | archive-date=25 March 2010}}{{cite web| url=http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/35.htm |title=Commissioner of Linguistic Minorities |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008113359/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/35.htm |archive-date=8 October 2007 |access-date=1 June 2007}}

{{cite web |url=http://www.languageinindia.com/april2002/officiallanguagesact.html |title=Language in India Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow |date=2 April 2002 |publisher=languageinindia.com |access-date=19 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423161906/http://www.languageinindia.com/april2002/officiallanguagesact.html |archive-date=23 April 2024 }}{{cite web |title=Scheduled Languages Act, 1963 |url=http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/RPF/Files/law/BareActs/officiallang1963act.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601185802/http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/RPF/Files/law/BareActs/officiallang1963act.htm |archive-date=1 June 2009}}{{cite web |title=The Union: Official Language |url=http://india.gov.in/knowindia/official_language.php |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070417150059/http://india.gov.in/knowindia/official_language.php |archive-date=17 April 2007 |website=www.india.gov.in}}{{cite report |url=http://www.rajbhasha.gov.in/khand8-eng7.pdf |title=Committee of Parliament on Official Language report |access-date=1 June 2011}}

In late 1964, an attempt was made to expressly provide for an end to the use of English, but it was met with protests from states and territories, including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, West Bengal, Karnataka, Puducherry, Nagaland, Mizoram and Andhra Pradesh. Some of these protests also turned violent.Hardgrave, Robert L. (August 1965). "The Riots in Tamilnadu: Problems and Prospects of India's Language Crisis". Asian Survey (University of California Press) As a result, the proposal was dropped,{{Citation |title=The force of words |date=19 February 1965 |magazine=Time |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,940936,00.html |access-date=5 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014111537/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,940936,00.html |archive-date=14 October 2007 |url-status=dead}}{{citation |last=Forrester |first=Duncan B. |title=The Madras Anti-Hindi Agitation, 1965: Political Protest and its Effects on Language Policy in India |date=Spring–Summer 1966 |journal=Pacific Affairs |volume=39 |issue=1/2 |pages=19–36 |doi=10.2307/2755179 |jstor=2755179}} and the Act itself was amended in 1967 to provide that the use of English would not be ended until a resolution to that effect was passed by the legislature of every state that had not adopted Hindi as its official language, and by each house of the Indian Parliament.{{r|uopu|at=3(5)}}

The position was thus that the Union government continues to use English in addition to Hindi for its official purposes{{r|uopu|at=3(1)}} as a "subsidiary official language",[https://web.archive.org/web/20100502221154/http://www.rajbhasha.gov.in/preseng.htm Notification No. 2/8/60-O.L. (Ministry of Home Affairs), dated 27 April 1960] archived from www.rajbhasha.gov.in, accessed 4 August 2020 but is also required to prepare and execute a program to progressively increase its use of Hindi.{{r|uopu|at=1)}}The exact extent to which, and the areas in which, the Union government uses Hindi and English, respectively, is determined by the provisions of the Constitution, the Official Languages Act, 1963, the Official Languages Rules, 1976, and statutory instruments made by the Department of Official Language under these laws.

Department of Official Language was set up in June 1975 as an independent Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs.{{cite web |title=Functions of Department {{!}} Department of Official Language {{!}} Ministry of Home Affairs |url=https://rajbhasha.gov.in/en/functions-department |access-date=15 June 2021 |publisher=Government of India}}

{{anchor|Schedule|Scheduled}}

The Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of the Republic of India lists the official languages of the Republic of India. At the time when the Constitution was enacted, inclusion in this list meant that the language was entitled to representation on the Official Languages Commission, and that the language would be one of the bases that would be drawn upon to enrich Hindi and English, the official languages of the Union. The list has since, however, acquired further significance. The Government of India is now under an obligation to take measures for the development of these languages, such that "they grow rapidly in richness and become effective means of communicating modern knowledge." In addition, candidates sitting for an examination conducted for public service are entitled to use any of these languages as a medium to answer the paper.

• 1950: 14 languages were initially included in the Constitution.{{cite report |title=Constitutional provisions relating to Eighth Schedule |url=http://mha.nic.in/hindi/sites/upload_files/mhahindi/files/pdf/Eighth_Schedule.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305010536/http://mha.nic.in/hindi/sites/upload_files/mhahindi/files/pdf/Eighth_Schedule.pdf |archive-date=5 March 2016 |access-date=4 October 2016 |publisher=Ministry Of Home Affairs, Government of India}}
• 1967: Sindhi was added by 21st Constitutional Amendment Act.{{cite web |title=The Constitution (Twenty-first Amendment) Act, 1967 |url=http://indiacode.nic.in/coiweb/amend/amend21.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130174023/http://indiacode.nic.in/coiweb/amend/amend21.htm |archive-date=30 January 2012 |access-date=5 December 2013}}
• 1992: Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali were added by 71st Constitutional Amendment Act{{cite web |title=The Constitution (Seventy-first Amendment) Act, 1992{{!}} National Portal of India |url=https://www.india.gov.in/my-government/constitution-india/amendments/constitution-india-seventy-first-amendment-act-1992 |access-date=19 May 2023 |publisher=India.gov.in}}
• 2003: Bodo, Dogri, Maithili and Santali were added by 92nd Constitutional Amendment Act.
• 2011: The spelling Oriya was replaced by Odia by 96th Constitutional Amendment Act.{{cite web |url=https://1drv.ms/b/s!AoSY7m8bBHQlkxFE7SoviMzbdFto?e=7dAUv8 |title=The Constitution (Ninety-Sixth Amendment) Act, 2011 |publisher=eGazette of India |date=23 September 2011 |access-date=1 May 2024}}

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File:Indian_Passport.svg, with the national emblem and inscriptions in the two official languages of Hindi and English.]]

The Indian constitution distinguishes the language to be used in Parliamentary proceedings, and the language in which laws are to be made. Parliamentary business, according to the Constitution, may be conducted in either Hindi or English. The use of English in parliamentary proceedings was to be phased out at the end of fifteen years unless Parliament chose to extend its use, which Parliament did through the Official Languages Act, 1963.{{r|uopu|at=3(1b)}} Also, the constitution permits a person who is unable to express themself in either Hindi or English to, with the permission of the Speaker of the relevant House, address the House in their mother tongue.{{cite web|url=http://www.constitution.org/cons/india/p05120.html|title=First proviso of Constitution|publisher=Constitution.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030115044918/http://www.constitution.org/cons/india/p05120.html |access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=15 January 2003 }}

In contrast, the constitution requires the authoritative text of all laws, including Parliamentary enactments and statutory instruments, to be in English, until Parliament decides otherwise. Parliament has not exercised its power to so decide, instead merely requiring that all such laws and instruments, and all bills brought before it, also be translated into Hindi, though the English text remains authoritative.{{r|uopu|at=5(1, 2))}} The Official Languages Act, 1963 provides that the authoritative English text of passed acts, rules, regulations, etc., are published in Hindi as well in the official gazette by President of India.{{cite web|url=http://socialjustice.nic.in/UserView/PrintUserView?mid=64581|title=Official Language Act |publisher=Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India|access-date=1 June 2024}}

The constitution provides, and the Supreme Court of India has reiterated, that all proceedings in the Supreme Court and the High Courts shall be in English.{{cite news |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/court-language-is-english-says-supreme-court/articleshow/50080870.cms|title=Court language is English, says Supreme Court |newspaper=The Economic Times|access-date=30 May 2017}}{{Cite web|url=https://lawtrend.in/supreme-court-objects-to-use-of-hindi-in-proceedings-reiterates-english-as-official-language/ |title=Supreme Court Objects to Use of Hindi in Proceedings, Reiterates English as Official Language |date=16 September 2024 |access-date=17 September 2024 |website=lawtrend.in}} Parliament has the power to alter this by law but has not done so. However, in many high courts, there is, with consent from the president, allowance of the optional use of Hindi. Such proposals have been successful in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/government-press-release/use-of-hindi-language-in-courts-116042801074_1.html|title=Use of Hindi Language in Courts |newspaper=Business Standard|date=28 April 2016|access-date=4 August 2020}}

The Official Language Act provides that the Union government shall use both Hindi and English in most administrative documents that are intended for the public, though the Union government is required by law to promote the use of Hindi{{r|uopu|at=3(3)}} names, among others, resolutions, general orders, rules, notifications, administrative or other reports or press communiques issued by a government department, agency or corporation; administrative and other reports and official papers laid before a House or the Houses of Parliament; and contracts and agreements executed, and licences, permits, notices and forms of tender issued by or on behalf of the government (including government companies).

The Official Languages Rules, in contrast, provide for a higher degree of use of Hindi in communications between offices of the central government (other than offices in Tamil Nadu, to which the rules do not apply).{{r|uopu|at=1(ii)}} Communications between different departments within the central government may be in English and Hindi (though the English text remains authoritative), although a translation into the other language must be provided if required. Communications within offices of the same department, however, must be in Hindi if the offices are in Hindi-speaking states, and in either Hindi or English otherwise with Hindi being used in proportion to the percentage of staff in the receiving office who have a working knowledge of Hindi.{{r|uopu|at=4}} Notes and memos in files may be in English and Hindi (though the English text remains authoritative), with the Government having a duty to provide a translation into the other language if required.{{r|uopu|at=8}}

Besides, every person submitting a petition for the redress of a grievance to a government officer or authority has a constitutional right to submit it in any language used in India.

• 12 out of the 22 scheduled languages are made available in the official website of the Indian Prime Minister's Office, namely Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Meitei (Manipuri), Odia, Punjabi, Tamil and Telugu, in addition to English.{{cite press release |title=PMINDIA Multilingual Website now available in 13 languages Assamese and Manipuri versions of Prime Minister's Official Website launched |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1514873 |access-date=10 March 2023 |publisher=Government of India}}
• 15 out of the 22 scheduled languages are made available in the Press Information Bureau (PIB) by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Government of India (GOI), namely Assamese, Bengali, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Marathi, Meitei (Manipuri), Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu, in addition to English.{{cite news|title=PIB press releases in Manipuri |date=25 November 2015 |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=17..251115.nov15 |access-date=10 March 2023 |work=e-pao}}{{cite news |work=Imphal Free Press |title=PIB website has news in regional languages now |date=24 November 2015 |url=http://kanglaonline.com/2015/11/pib-website-has-news-in-regional-languages-now/ |access-date=10 March 2023 }}
• 14 out of the 22 scheduled languages are selected by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) of the Government of India, to be made available in the conduction of the Multi-Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff examination across the country, namely Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Marathi, Meitei (Manipuri), Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu, in addition to English.{{cite press release |title=Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh lauds SSC for deciding to conduct the Multi-Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff examination 2022 in 13 regional languages in addition to Hindi and English for the first time |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1892439 |access-date=10 March 2023 |publisher=Government of India}}{{cite press release |title=হিন্দি অমসুং ইংলিসকী মথক্তা অহানবা ওইনা লম-লমগী লোন ১৩দা মল্তি-তাস্কিং(নন-তেক্নিকেল) স্তাফ এজামিনেসন ২০২২ পাংথোক্নবা ৱারেপ লৌখিবগীদমক য়ুনিয়ন মিনিস্তর দোক্তর জিতেন্দ্র সিংহনা এস.এস.সি থাগৎখ্রে |trans-title=13th Multi-Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff Examination 2022 Panthoknba Wrap Loukhibgidmak Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singha SSC Ray|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1892624 |access-date=10 March 2023 |publisher=Government of India |language=mni}}

Various steps have been taken by the Indian government to implement the use and familiarisation of Hindi extensively. Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha headquartered at Chennai was formed to spread Hindi in South Indian states. Regional Hindi implementation offices at Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bhopal, Delhi and Ghaziabad have been established to monitor the implementation of Hindi in Central government offices and PSUs.

Annual targets are set by the Department of Official Language regarding the amount of correspondence being carried out in Hindi. A Parliament Committee on Official Language constituted in 1976 periodically reviews the progress in the use of Hindi and submits a report to the President. The governmental body which makes policy decisions and established guidelines for the promotion of Hindi is the Kendriya Hindi Samiti (est. 1967). In every city that has more than ten central Government offices, a Town Official Language Implementation Committee is established and cash awards are given to government employees who write books in Hindi. All Central government offices and PSUs are to establish Hindi Cells for implementation of Hindi in their offices.{{cite web|title=Official Language – Constitutional/Statutory Provisions |url=http://india.gov.in/knowindia/official_language.php |publisher=Government of India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070417150059/http://india.gov.in/knowindia/official_language.php |archive-date=17 April 2007}}

In 2016, the government announced plans to promote Hindi in government offices in Southern and Northeast India.{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/centre-to-promote-use-of-hindi-in-south-india-northeast-jitendra-singh/|title=Centre to promote the use of Hindi in South India, Northeast:Jitendra Singh|quote=In response to this several NGO and political parties have started agitation and some have even resorted to violent protests in the Darjeeling for separate statehood, which started in after the official statement in a press meet by Central parliamentary affairs minister. The monster himself hails from South India and many party leader of the government has felt like an insult to the mother language. The TANA has stated "It's high time the North should learn the lessons from the past and should try not to stir the broth"
The ADMK leader has said in New Delhi "It's a shame to see my neighboring state leader hailing from Telugu state speaking against his own mother tongue.
The Dravida Samrakshana Samiti Head has said " it's a direct assault on our culture and is an insult for saying the minister hailing from South India|date=9 June 2016|newspaper=The Indian Express|access-date=11 June 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Govt-to-promote-use-of-Hindi-in-routine-conversation-NE/articleshow/52659063.cms|title=Govt to promote use of Hindi in routine conversation|newspaper=The Times of India|date=8 June 2016 |access-date=11 June 2016}}

The Indian constitution does not specify the official languages to be used by the states for the conduct of their official functions and leaves each state free to, through its legislature, adopt Hindi or any language used in its territory as its official language or languages.{{cite web|title=Constitution of India, Article|url=http://www.constitution.org/cons/india/p17345.html|publisher=Constitution.org|access-date=1 June 2024}} The language need not be one of those listed in the Eighth Schedule, and several states have adopted official languages which are not so listed. Examples include Kokborok in Tripura and Mizo in Mizoram.

The constitutional provisions in relation to use of the official language in legislation at the State level largely mirror those relating to the official language at the central level, with minor variations. State legislatures may conduct their business in their official language, Hindi or (for a transitional period, which the legislature can extend if it so chooses) English, and members who cannot use any of these have the same rights to their mother tongue with the Speaker's permission. The authoritative text of all laws must be in English unless Parliament passes a law permitting a state to use another language, and if the original text of a law is in a different language, an authoritative English translation of all laws must be prepared.

The state has the right to regulate the use of its official language in public administration, and in general, neither the constitution nor any central enactment imposes any restriction on this right. However, every person submitting a petition for the redress of a grievance to any officer or authority of the state government has a constitutional right to submit it in any language used in that state, regardless of its official status.

Besides, the constitution grants the central government, acting through the President, the power to issue certain directives to the government of a state in relation to the use of minority languages for official purposes. The President may direct a State to officially recognise a language spoken in its territory for specified purposes and in specified regions if its speakers demand it and satisfy him that a substantial proportion of the State's population desires its use. Similarly, States and local authorities are required to endeavour to provide primary education in the mother tongue for all linguistic minorities, regardless of whether their language is official in that State, and the President has the power to issue directions he deems necessary to ensure that they are provided these facilities.

States have significantly less freedom in relation to determining the language in which judicial proceedings in their respective High Courts will be conducted. The constitution gives the power to authorise the use of Hindi, or the state's official language in proceedings of the High Court to the Governor, rather than the state legislature and requires the Governor to obtain the consent of the President of India, who in these matters acts on the advice of the Government of India. The Official Languages Act gives the Governor a similar power, subject to similar conditions, in relation to the language in which the High Court's judgements will be delivered.{{r|uopu|at=3(3)}}

Four states—Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan—{{cite web|url=http://www.barandbench.com/index.php?title=Language%20in%20Courts%20-%20a%20bridge%20or%20a%20barrier?&page=brief&id=805&gn=0|title=Language in Courts – a bridge or a barrier?|publisher=Bar and Bench|access-date=1 June 2024}} have been granted the right to conduct proceedings in their High Courts in their official language, which, for all of them, was Hindi. However, the only non-Hindi state to seek a similar power—Tamil Nadu, which sought the right to conduct proceedings in Tamil in the Madras High Court—had its application rejected by the central government earlier, which said it was advised to do so by the Supreme Court.{{citation |last= Special Correspondent |title=Karunanidhi stands firm on Tamil in High Court |page=1 |date=12 March 2007 |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/12/stories/2007031205180100.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070313221430/http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/12/stories/2007031205180100.htm|url-status=dead|newspaper= The Hindu |archive-date=13 March 2007}} In 2006, the law ministry said that it would not object to Tamil Nadu state's desire to conduct Madras High Court proceedings in Tamil.{{cite news |date=7 January 2007 |title=The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Thanjavur News : No objection to Tamil as court language: A.P. Shah |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/12/03/stories/2006120306220800.htm |access-date=19 June 2024 |newspaper=The Hindu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107191048/http://www.hindu.com/2006/12/03/stories/2006120306220800.htm |archive-date=7 January 2007 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.silobreaker.com/DocumentReader.aspx?Item=5_848171789|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230004201/http://www.silobreaker.com/DocumentReader.aspx?Item=5_848171789|url-status=dead|title=Silobreaker: Make Tamil the language of Madras High Court|archive-date=30 December 2008}}{{cite news|date=30 April 2008 |title=Karunanidhi hopeful of Centre's announcement |url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/21/stories/2008042159970800.htm |access-date=19 June 2024|newspaper=The Hindu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430135931/http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/21/stories/2008042159970800.htm |archive-date=30 April 2008 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/iep/sunday/story/299161.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080425182337/http://www.indianexpress.com/iep/sunday/story/299161.html|title=Govt likely to allow Tamil in Madras HC|url-status=dead|newspaper=The Indian Express|archive-date=25 April 2008}}{{cite press release|url=http://www.tn.gov.in/pressrelease/archives/pr2007/pr110307/pr110307_45.pdf|title=Tamil Nadu government press release|publisher=Government of Tamil Nadu|access-date=4 August 2020}} In 2010, the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court allowed lawyers to argue cases in Tamil.{{cite news|title= Advocate argues in Tamil in High Court |url=http://newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article443474.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402175831/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article443474.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 April 2015 |access-date=27 June 2010|newspaper=The New Indian Express|date=23 June 2010}}

At present, as per the Ministry of Home Affairs,{{cite web |title=Eighth schedule |url=http://mha.nic.in/hindi/sites/upload_files/mhahindi/files/pdf/Eighth_Schedule.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305010536/http://mha.nic.in/hindi/sites/upload_files/mhahindi/files/pdf/Eighth_Schedule.pdf |archive-date=5 March 2016 |access-date=4 October 2016}} there are demands for inclusion of 38 more languages

in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution. These are:

{{columns-list|colwidth=10em|

• Angika
• Banjara
• Bajjika
• Bhojpuri
• Bundelkhandi
• Chhattisgarhi
• Dhatki
• English
• Garhwali
• Gondi
• Gujjari
• Ho
• Kachhi
• Kamtapuri
• Karbi
• Khasi
• Kodava
• Kokborok
• Kumaoni
• Kurukh
• Kurmali
• Ladakhi
• Lepcha
• Limbu
• Mizo
• Magahi
• Mundari
• Nagpuri
• Nicobarese
• Himachali
• Pali
• Rajasthani
• Saraiki
• Sambalpuri
• Shauraseni Prakrit
• Sikkimese
• Tenyidie
• Tulu

}}

In addition to official languages, a few states also designate official scripts.

File:Trilingual Signboard at Bhubaneswar Railway Station Ticket Counter.jpg) and the two official languages Hindi and English.]]

The language of communications between different states or between the union government and a state or a person in a state, is regulated by the Official Languages Act and, except for communications involving Tamil Nadu, which are governed by the Official Languages Rules. Communication between states which have Hindi as an official language must be in Hindi, whereas communication between a state where Hindi is an official language and one where it is not Hindi and must be in English, or, in Hindi with an accompanying English translation (unless the receiving state agrees to dispense with the translation).

Communication between the union and states which use Hindi as their official language (classified by the Official Language Rules as "the states in Region A"), and with persons who live in those states, is generally in Hindi, except in certain cases. Communication with a second category of states "Region B", which do not have Hindi as an official language but have elected to communicate with the union in Hindi is usually in Hindi, while communications sent to an individual in those states may be in Hindi and English.{{r|uopu|at=3(2))}} Communication with all other states "Region C", and with people living in them, is in English.{{r|uopu|at=3(3))}}

• Best Feature Film in any of the scheduled languages are eligible for the National Film Awards.{{Efn|In certain years, films of languages other than the scheduled languages also get eligible.{{cite web|date=22 July 2022 |title=68th National Film Awards: Here is the list of winners |url=http://nenow.in/entertainment/68th-national-film-awards-here-is-the-list-of-winners.html |access-date=10 March 2023 |work=Northeast Now}}}}
• Literary works in any of the scheduled languages are eligible for the Sahitya Akademi Awards, the Sahitya Akademi Translation Prizes and the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar.{{Cite book |last1=Malik |first1=Ravindra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oNMuEAAAQBAJ&dq=saraswati+samman+languages&pg=PA158 |title=HARYANA GK: HARYANA AT THE START OF 2021 |last2=ARSu |first2=Team |publisher=MyARSu |pages=158 |language=en}}
• People who contribute to the literature of any of the scheduled languages are eligible for the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship.
• Literary works in any of the scheduled languages are eligible for the Gyanpeeth Awards.{{cite web |title=Jnanpith Award {{!}} Indian literary award |publisher=Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/art/Jnanpith-Award |access-date=10 March 2023}}
• Prose or poetry literary works in any of the scheduled languages are eligible for the Saraswati Samman, the highest among all the literary awards in India.
• Writers who contribute to the literature of any of the scheduled languages are eligible for the Bhasha Samman Awards.

{{Wikisource|Official Languages Act, 1963}}

• Languages of India
• List of languages by number of native speakers in India
• Indian states by most spoken scheduled languages
• The Eighth Schedule to the Indian Constitution

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• [http://rajbhasha.nic.in/ Department of Official Language (DOL)] – Official webpage explains the chronological events related to Official Languages Act and amendments

{{Languages of India}}

{{Languages of South Asia}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Languages With Official Status In India}}

India

Languages of India

Category:Official languages