Official Language

1. Which one of the following parts of the Constitution of India deals wi

Which one of the following parts of the Constitution of India deals with official language ?

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Part XVI
Part XVII
Part X
Part XV
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2024
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Part XVII of the Constitution of India deals with the official language of the Union and the States.
Articles 343 to 351 in Part XVII of the Constitution contain provisions relating to the official language. These articles cover aspects like the official language of the Union, regional languages, language of the judiciary and texts of laws, and special directives related to language.
Part XVI deals with special provisions relating to certain classes. Part X deals with Scheduled and Tribal Areas. Part XV deals with Elections. Therefore, Part XVII is the correct part for official language.

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2. In 1967, which language was added to the list of major recognized Indi

In 1967, which language was added to the list of major recognized Indian languages by a Constitutional Amendment?

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Pashto
Sindhi
Garo
Konkani
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2019
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The 21st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1967 added Sindhi to the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, which lists the major recognized Indian languages.
The Eighth Schedule originally listed 14 languages. Subsequent amendments increased the number of recognized languages.
Sindhi was the first language added to the Eighth Schedule after the original list. Later, Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali (by 71st Amendment, 1992), and Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Santhali (by 92nd Amendment, 2003) were added, bringing the current total to 22 languages.

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3. Consider the following languages : 1. Gujarati 2. Kannada 3. Telug

Consider the following languages :

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  • 1. Gujarati
  • 2. Kannada
  • 3. Telugu

Which of the above has/have been declared as ‘Classical Language/ Languages’ by the Government?

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1 and 2 only
3 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2014
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The correct answer is C.
As of the time this question was likely framed (and even currently, prior to any potential future additions), the languages declared as Classical Languages by the Government of India are Tamil (2004), Sanskrit (2005), Kannada (2008), Telugu (2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014). Among the given options, Kannada (2) and Telugu (3) have been declared as Classical Languages. Gujarati (1) has not been declared a Classical Language.
Criteria for declaring a language as classical include high antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years, a body of ancient literature/texts considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers, and originality, being distinct from modern language/literature.

4. Consider the following statements: 1. It shall be the endeavour of ev

Consider the following statements:

1. It shall be the endeavour of every State and every local authority within the State to provide adequate facilities for instruction in mother tongue at the primary state of education to children belonging to linguistic minority groups.
2. The Constitution enjoins the Union of India to provide and promote the spread of Hindi language and to develop it so that it may serve as a medium of expression of all the elements of the composite culture of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2013
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The correct answer is (C) Both 1 and 2.
– Statement 1: Article 350A of the Constitution, inserted by the 7th Amendment Act, 1956, states: “It shall be the endeavour of every State and of every local authority within the State to provide adequate facilities for instruction in mother-tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to linguistic minority groups.” This statement is correct.
– Statement 2: Article 351 of the Constitution provides a directive for the development of the Hindi language. It states: “It shall be the duty of the Union to promote the spread of the Hindi language, to develop it so that it may serve as a medium of expression for all the elements of the composite culture of India…”. This statement is correct.
– These articles are part of Part XVII of the Constitution, which deals with Official Language.
– Article 350A aims to protect the interests of linguistic minorities in education.
– Article 351 sets out the objective for the development and promotion of Hindi as a language capable of serving as a link language while respecting India’s diverse linguistic heritage.

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5. Which one among the following statements is not correct as per the Con

Which one among the following statements is not correct as per the Constitution of India?

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National Commission for Minorities appoints a Special Officer for linguistic minorities.
It shall be the duty of the Union to develop the Hindi language as a medium of expression for all the elements of the composite culture of India.
The word 'Hindustani' is mentioned in the Constitution with reference to the enrichment of the Hindi language.
Every state shall endeavour to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother-tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to minority groups.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2024
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The correct option is A.
The Constitution of India contains specific provisions regarding linguistic minorities, the development of the Hindi language, and instruction in mother tongue. Article 350B provides for the appointment of a Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities by the President. Article 351 outlines the Union’s duty to promote Hindi. Article 350A mandates states to endeavour to provide primary education in the mother tongue for linguistic minorities.
Statement A: “National Commission for Minorities appoints a Special Officer for linguistic minorities.” This is incorrect. The Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities (SOM) is a constitutional office established under Article 350B, and the SOM is appointed by the President of India. The National Commission for Minorities is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament, not a constitutional body responsible for this appointment.

Statement B: “It shall be the duty of the Union to develop the Hindi language as a medium of expression for all the elements of the composite culture of India.” This is correct. Article 351 states this as a duty of the Union.

Statement C: “The word ‘Hindustani’ is mentioned in the Constitution with reference to the enrichment of the Hindi language.” This is correct. Article 351 mentions enriching Hindi “by assimilating without interfering with its genius, the forms, style and expressions used in Hindustani and in the other languages of India specified in the Eighth Schedule”.

Statement D: “Every state shall endeavour to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother-tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to minority groups.” This is correct. Article 350A mandates this endeavour by every State and local authority within the State.

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The question asks for the statement that is *not* correct. Statement A is incorrect.

6. Which one of the following languages was added to the Eighth Schedule

Which one of the following languages was added to the Eighth Schedule by a Constitutional Amendment in 1967 ?

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Khasi
Kashmiri
Sindhi
Urdu
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2022
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The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution lists the official languages of the Republic of India. The 21st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1967 added Sindhi to the Eighth Schedule.
– Initially, the Eighth Schedule had 14 languages.
– Later, Sindhi was added in 1967.
– Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali were added by the 71st Amendment Act of 1992.
– Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santali were added by the 92nd Amendment Act of 2003.
As of now, there are 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule. The question specifically asks for the language added by a Constitutional Amendment in 1967.

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7. Which of the following statements are correct ? 1. Speaker may permit

Which of the following statements are correct ?

1. Speaker may permit any Member to address the House in his/her mother tongue, if he/she cannot adequately express in either Hindi or English.

2. Business of the Parliamentary Committees is transacted either in Hindi or in English.

3. The minutes of the Parliamentary Committees are prepared invariably in Hindi or English.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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1, 2 and 3
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2021
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All three statements are correct regarding the rules and procedures of the Indian Parliament and its Committees.
1. Rule 222 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha (and corresponding rules in Rajya Sabha) allows a member unable to express adequately in Hindi or English to address the House in their mother tongue with the Speaker’s permission.
2. Parliamentary Committees conduct their business primarily in Hindi or English, as per the general practice for parliamentary proceedings.
3. Consequently, the official minutes and records of the Parliamentary Committees are also prepared in both Hindi and English.
Members can speak in mother tongue with permission; Committee business and minutes are in Hindi or English.
Simultaneous interpretation facilities are often available in Parliament to enable members to speak in various recognized Indian languages. This supports the provision allowing members to use their mother tongue when needed. The official languages of Parliament are Hindi and English.

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8. Which law prescribes that all proceedings in the Supreme Court shall b

Which law prescribes that all proceedings in the Supreme Court shall be in English language ?

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Article 145 of the Constitution of India
Article 348 of the Constitution of India
The Supreme Court Rules, 1966
An Act passed by the Parliament
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2019
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Article 348(1) of the Constitution of India mandates that, unless Parliament by law otherwise provides, all proceedings in the Supreme Court and in every High Court shall be in the English language.
This article establishes English as the primary language for proceedings in the higher judiciary.
While Parliament has the power to change this by law, and some exceptions or alternatives exist for High Courts (with Presidential consent), Article 348 currently prescribes English for the Supreme Court.

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9. Which one of the following languages is not recognized in the Eighth S

Which one of the following languages is not recognized in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India ?

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English
Sanskrit
Urdu
Nepali
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2016
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The Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India lists the official languages of the Republic of India. As of now, it lists 22 languages. Sanskrit, Urdu, and Nepali are all included in the Eighth Schedule. English, although widely used for official purposes and communication, is not listed in the Eighth Schedule.
The Eighth Schedule lists 22 languages recognized by the Constitution; English is not among them.
The original Constitution had 14 languages. Subsequently, Sindhi (1967), Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali (1992), and Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Santhali (2004) were added through amendments.

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