Languages of India: Eighth Schedule Explained for UPSC SSC

Constitutional Basis

The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution is a list of official languages recognized by the government. Article 344(1) and Article 351 of the Constitution deal with this schedule. Article 344(1) provides for the constitution of a Commission by the President at the expiration of five years from the commencement of the Constitution and thereafter at the expiration of ten years from such commencement, to make recommendations to the President as to the progressive use of the Hindi language for the official purposes of the Union and restrictions on the use of the English language. Article 351 gives power to the Union Government to issue directives for the development of the Hindi language.

Initially, the Eighth Schedule included 14 languages. Over time, more languages were added through constitutional amendments, reflecting the linguistic diversity and demands from various communities across India. The inclusion of a language in the Eighth Schedule has significant implications, including its recognition for official purposes, representation in the Official Language Commission, and eligibility for competitive examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Original and Added Languages

When the Constitution was adopted on January 26, 1950, the Eighth Schedule recognized 14 languages. These were Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. These languages represent major linguistic groups and regions of India, forming the initial framework of official linguistic recognition.

Subsequent amendments expanded this list. The Sindhi language was added in 1967 by the 21st Constitutional Amendment Act. This was a significant step, acknowledging the linguistic identity of the Sindhi-speaking population. Later, three more languages Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali were included in 1992 by the 71st Constitutional Amendment Act. These additions further broadened the scope of recognized languages, addressing long-standing demands from these linguistic communities.

Recent Additions

The most recent expansion of the Eighth Schedule occurred in 2003. The 92nd Constitutional Amendment Act added four more languages: Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali. This amendment brought the total number of languages in the Eighth Schedule to 22. The inclusion of these languages was a result of sustained efforts and movements by their respective speakers, highlighting the dynamic nature of language recognition in India.

These additions underscore the Indian government's commitment to preserving and promoting the country's rich linguistic heritage. Each inclusion reflects a unique cultural identity and contributes to the mosaic of Indian languages. The recognition helps in the development of these languages, their literature, and their use in various official and educational contexts.

Significance and Implications

Inclusion in the Eighth Schedule provides several benefits and recognitions. Firstly, it allows candidates to write competitive examinations like the UPSC Civil Services Exam in any of these languages. This ensures equal opportunity for aspirants from diverse linguistic backgrounds. Secondly, the Official Language Commission, constituted under Article 344, considers these languages in its recommendations regarding the progressive use of Hindi and the use of other languages for official purposes.

Furthermore, the Sahitya Akademi, India's national academy of letters, recognizes and promotes literature in these scheduled languages. This recognition helps in the development of literature, translation work, and cultural exchange. The government also undertakes measures to develop and promote these languages, including financial support for literary activities, research, and educational materials. The Eighth Schedule thus plays a vital role in linguistic policy and cultural preservation in India.

Important Keywords Explained

Eighth Scheduleconcept

A list of 22 languages recognized by the Constitution of India. It is mentioned in Articles 344(1) and 351. Inclusion in this schedule grants official recognition and various benefits, including use in competitive exams and promotion by government bodies.

Article 344(1)act

This article provides for the constitution of a Commission by the President to make recommendations regarding the progressive use of the Hindi language for official purposes of the Union and restrictions on the use of the English language.

Article 351act

This article empowers the Union Government to issue directives for the development and promotion of the Hindi language, aiming to enrich it by drawing upon other languages of India, including those in the Eighth Schedule.

92nd Constitutional Amendment Actact

Enacted in 2003, this amendment added four languages Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali to the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, increasing the total number of recognized languages from 18 to 22.

Additional Facts & Context

• The 21st Amendment Act of 1967 added Sindhi, making the total 15 languages.
• The 71st Amendment Act of 1992 added Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali, increasing the total to 18 languages.
• The 92nd Amendment Act of 2003 added Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali, bringing the total to 22 languages.
• There are currently 6 languages that have been granted 'Classical Language' status in India.
• Hindi is the most spoken language in India, followed by Bengali and Marathi.