Official Language
The Official Language provisions in the Indian Constitution reflect the country’s linguistic diversity and federal balance. This 100 MCQ master set comprehensively covers Articles 343–351, Schedule 8 languages, the Official Languages Act of 1963, Union–State communication rules, and the role of the Committee on Official Language. It also explores classical languages such as Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia, alongside protections for linguistic minorities under Articles 350A and 350B. Analytical and assertion–reason questions integrate Supreme Court rulings, parliamentary debates, and case-based scenarios to ensure exam authenticity. Designed for UPSC, SSC, PSC, and other competitive exams, this module guarantees complete syllabus coverage, cultural context, and deployment‑ready preparation for students and educators.
A) Hindi in Devanagari script
B) English
C) Sanskrit
D) Both Hindi and English
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Article 343 declares Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language.
Q2. The associate official language of the Union is:
A) English
B) Sanskrit
C) Urdu
D) Tamil
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: English continues as associate official language under the Official Languages Act, 1963.
Q3. Article 343 deals with:
A) Official language of the Union
B) Language of the judiciary
C) Language of state legislatures
D) Classical languages
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Article 343 specifies Hindi as the official language.
Q4. The numerals used in official language are:
A) International form of Indian numerals
B) Roman numerals
C) Arabic numerals
D) Devanagari numerals only
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: International form of Indian numerals is prescribed.
Q5. Article 344 provides for:
A) Commission and Committee on Official Language
B) Language of Parliament
C) Language of judiciary
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Article 344 establishes Commission and Committee on Official Language.
Q6. The Official Languages Act was enacted in:
A) 1963
B) 1950
C) 1976
D) 1980
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: The Act of 1963 governs continued use of English.
Q7. Article 345 deals with:
A) Official language of states
B) Official language of Union
C) Language of judiciary
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: States may adopt any language spoken in the state.
Q8. Article 346 deals with:
A) Communication between states and Union
B) Language of judiciary
C) Language of Parliament
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Communication between states and Union is in Hindi or English.
Q9. Article 347 empowers President to:
A) Recognize a language for state use
B) Declare classical languages
C) Amend Schedule 8
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: President may direct recognition of a language spoken by a section of population.
Q10. Article 348 deals with:
A) Language of Supreme Court and High Courts
B) Language of Parliament
C) Language of states
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Proceedings in SC and HCs are in English.
Q11. Article 349 restricts Parliament from:
A) Enacting laws on language without President’s recommendation
B) Declaring classical languages
C) Amending Schedule 8
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Parliament requires President’s recommendation for language laws.
Q12. Article 350 provides:
A) Right to submit representations in any language
B) Language of judiciary
C) Language of Parliament
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Citizens may submit representations in any language.
Q13. Article 350A directs states to:
A) Provide primary education in mother tongue
B) Use Hindi in administration
C) Use English in judiciary
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: States must provide primary education in mother tongue of children.
Q14. Article 350B provides for:
A) Special Officer for linguistic minorities
B) Language of judiciary
C) Language of Parliament
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: President appoints Special Officer for linguistic minorities.
Q15. Article 351 directs Union to:
A) Promote Hindi
B) Promote English
C) Promote Sanskrit
D) Promote all languages equally
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Union must promote Hindi for enrichment and development.
Q16. Schedule 8 originally recognized:
A) 14 languages
B) 18 languages
C) 22 languages
D) 12 languages
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Initially 14 languages were recognized in 1950.
Q17. Currently Schedule 8 recognizes:
A) 22 languages
B) 18 languages
C) 14 languages
D) 20 languages
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: After amendments, 22 languages are recognized.
Q18. The 21st Amendment (1967) added:
A) Sindhi
B) Konkani
C) Manipuri
D) Nepali
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Sindhi was added by the 21st Amendment.
Q19. The 71st Amendment (1992) added:
A) Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali
B) Sindhi
C) Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Santhali
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali were added.
Q20. The 92nd Amendment (2003) added:
A) Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Santhali
B) Sindhi
C) Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Four languages were added in 2003.
Q21. Language of Parliament proceedings is:
A) Hindi or English
B) Hindi only
C) English only
D) Any Schedule 8 language
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Parliament proceedings are in Hindi or English.
Q22. Language of Supreme Court judgments is:
A) English
B) Hindi
C) Any Schedule 8 language
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Judgments are delivered in English.
Q23. States may adopt official language under:
A) Article 345
B) Article 343
C) Article 348
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: States may adopt any language spoken in the state.
Q24. Communication between states is in:
A) Hindi or English
B) Hindi only
C) English only
D) Any Schedule 8 language
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Communication between states is in Hindi or English.
Q25. Assertion (A): Hindi is official language of Union.
Reason (R): Article 343 declares Hindi in Devanagari script as official language.
A) Both true, R correct explanation
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Article 343 declares Hindi in Devanagari script as official language.
Q26. The Official Languages Act, 1963 provides for:
A) Continued use of English along with Hindi
B) Exclusive use of Hindi
C) Exclusive use of English
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: The Act allows continued use of English for official purposes.
Q27. The Official Languages Act was amended in:
A) 1967
B) 1976
C) 1980
D) 1992
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: The 1967 amendment ensured indefinite use of English.
Q28. The Committee on Official Language is constituted under:
A) Article 344
B) Article 351
C) Official Languages Act, 1963
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Article 344 provides for Committee on Official Language.
Q29. The Official Language Resolution was passed in:
A) 1968
B) 1950
C) 1963
D) 1976
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: The 1968 Resolution emphasized promotion of Hindi with safeguards for other languages.
Q30. Communication between Union and states is in:
A) Hindi or English
B) Hindi only
C) English only
D) Any Schedule 8 language
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Communication is in Hindi or English.
Q31. Communication between Hindi-speaking and non-Hindi-speaking states is in:
A) English
B) Hindi
C) Any Schedule 8 language
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: English is used between Hindi and non-Hindi states.
Q32. The Official Languages Act applies to:
A) Union government offices
B) State legislatures
C) Judiciary
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: It governs Union government official language use.
Q33. The Committee on Official Language submits reports to:
A) President
B) Parliament
C) Supreme Court
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Reports are submitted to the President.
Q34. The Official Language Commission is appointed by:
A) President
B) Prime Minister
C) Parliament
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: President appoints the Commission under Article 344.
Q35. The Official Language Commission is appointed after:
A) 5 years from commencement of Constitution
B) 10 years
C) 15 years
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Commission appointed after 5 years.
Q36. The Committee on Official Language consists of:
A) 30 members of Parliament
B) 20 members of Parliament
C) 40 members of Parliament
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Committee has 30 MPs (20 Lok Sabha, 10 Rajya Sabha).
Q37. The Official Language Resolution, 1968 emphasized:
A) Promotion of Hindi with safeguards for other languages
B) Exclusive use of Hindi
C) Exclusive use of English
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Resolution balanced promotion of Hindi with safeguards.
Q38. The Official Languages Act ensures:
A) Indefinite use of English
B) Exclusive use of Hindi
C) Exclusive use of English
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: English continues indefinitely for official purposes.
Q39. The language of competitive exams for Union services is:
A) Hindi and English
B) Hindi only
C) English only
D) Any Schedule 8 language
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Exams are conducted in Hindi and English.
Q40. The language of recruitment exams in states is:
A) State’s official language
B) Hindi only
C) English only
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: States conduct exams in their official language.
Q41. The Official Languages Act provides for translation of:
A) Acts, Bills, and Rules into Hindi and English
B) Only into Hindi
C) Only into English
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: All Acts, Bills, Rules must be in Hindi and English.
Q42. The Official Languages Act provides for publication of:
A) Gazette in Hindi and English
B) Gazette in Hindi only
C) Gazette in English only
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Gazette published in both Hindi and English.
Q43. The Official Languages Act provides for language of:
A) Parliamentary proceedings
B) Judiciary
C) State legislatures
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Parliamentary proceedings are in Hindi or English.
Q44. The Official Languages Act provides for language of:
A) Union government communications
B) State judiciary
C) State legislatures
D) None
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Union communications are in Hindi or English.
Q45. Assertion (A): English continues indefinitely as associate official language.
Reason (R): Official Languages Act, 1963 (amended 1967) provides for it.
A) Both true, R correct explanation
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: English continues indefinitely under the Act.
Q46. Assertion (A): Committee on Official Language has 30 MPs.
Reason (R): Article 344 provides for it.
A) Both true, R correct explanation
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Committee has 30 MPs under Article 344.
Q47. Assertion (A): Communication between Hindi and non-Hindi states is in English.
Reason (R): Official Languages Act provides for it.
A) Both true, R correct explanation
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: English is used between Hindi and non-Hindi states.
Q48. Assertion (A): Official Language Commission appointed after 5 years.
Reason (R): Article 344 provides for it.
A) Both true, R correct explanation
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Commission appointed after 5 years.
Q49. Assertion (A): Gazette is published in Hindi and English.
Reason (R): Official Languages Act provides for it.
A) Both true, R correct explanation
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Gazette published in both languages.
Q50. Assertion (A): Acts and Bills must be in Hindi and English.
Reason (R): Official Languages Act provides for it.
A) Both true, R correct explanation
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Acts and Bills are published in both languages.
Q76. Assertion (A): Supreme Court judgments are delivered in English.
Reason (R): Article 348 mandates English for SC and HC proceedings.
A) Both true, R correct explanation
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Article 348 requires English for SC/HC proceedings.
Q77. Assertion (A): Parliament can change official language without President’s recommendation.
Reason (R): Article 349 requires President’s recommendation.
A) A false, R true
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Parliament needs President’s recommendation for language laws.
Q78. Assertion (A): Citizens can submit representations in any language.
Reason (R): Article 350 provides this right.
A) Both true, R correct explanation
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Article 350 ensures right to representation in any language.
Q79. Assertion (A): States may adopt any language spoken in the state as official language.
Reason (R): Article 345 provides for it.
A) Both true, R correct explanation
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: States can adopt any language spoken in the state.
Q80. Assertion (A): Communication between Union and states is only in Hindi.
Reason (R): Official Languages Act prohibits English.
A) Both false
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Communication is in Hindi or English.
Q81. Assertion (A): Hindi is national language of India.
Reason (R): Constitution declares Hindi as national language.
A) Both false
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Constitution does not declare any national language.
Q82. Assertion (A): English continues indefinitely as associate official language.
Reason (R): Official Languages Act, 1963 (amended 1967) provides for it.
A) Both true, R correct explanation
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: English continues indefinitely under the Act.
Q83. Assertion (A): Gazette is published only in Hindi.
Reason (R): Official Languages Act prohibits English.
A) Both false
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Gazette is published in Hindi and English.
Q84. Assertion (A): Acts and Bills are published in Hindi and English.
Reason (R): Official Languages Act provides for it.
A) Both true, R correct explanation
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Acts and Bills must be in Hindi and English.
Q85. Assertion (A): Committee on Official Language has 30 MPs.
Reason (R): Article 344 provides for it.
A) Both true, R correct explanation
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Committee has 30 MPs under Article 344.
Q86. Assertion (A): Official Language Commission is appointed after 10 years.
Reason (R): Article 344 provides for it.
A) A false, R false
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Commission appointed after 5 years, not 10.
Q87. Assertion (A): Primary education in mother tongue is mandatory.
Reason (R): Article 350A directs states.
A) Both true, R correct explanation
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Article 350A mandates mother tongue education.
Q88. Assertion (A): Special Officer for linguistic minorities is appointed by President.
Reason (R): Article 350B provides for it.
A) Both true, R correct explanation
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Officer appointed by President under Article 350B.
Q89. Assertion (A): Union must promote Hindi while enriching it with other languages.
Reason (R): Article 351 directs enrichment from Sanskrit and other languages.
A) Both true, R correct explanation
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Article 351 directs enrichment of Hindi.
Q90. Assertion (A): Schedule 8 currently recognizes 22 languages.
Reason (R): Amendments added languages over time.
A) Both true, R correct explanation
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: 22 languages recognized after amendments.
Q91. Assertion (A): Tamil was first declared classical language.
Reason (R): Declared in 2004.
A) Both true, R correct explanation
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Tamil declared classical in 2004.
Q92. Assertion (A): Sanskrit declared classical in 2005.
Reason (R): Ministry of Culture notification.
A) Both true, R correct explanation
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Sanskrit declared classical in 2005.
Q93. Assertion (A): Kannada and Telugu declared classical in 2008.
Reason (R): Ministry of Culture notification.
A) Both true, R correct explanation
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Declared classical in 2008.
Q94. Assertion (A): Malayalam and Odia declared classical in 2014.
Reason (R): Ministry of Culture notification.
A) Both true, R correct explanation
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Declared classical in 2014.
Q95. Assertion (A): Hindi is compulsory in all states as official language.
Reason (R): Constitution mandates Hindi in states.
A) Both false
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: States may adopt any language spoken in the state.
Q96. Assertion (A): English is official language of Union.
Reason (R): Article 343 declares English official.
A) Both false
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Hindi is official; English is associate official language.
Q97. Assertion (A): Citizens have right to use any language in representations.
Reason (R): Article 350 provides for it.
A) Both true, R correct explanation
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Article 350 ensures right to representation.
Q98. Assertion (A): Parliament proceedings are in Hindi or English.
Reason (R): Official Languages Act provides for it.
A) Both true, R correct explanation
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Parliament proceedings are in Hindi or English.
Q99. Assertion (A): Supreme Court judgments can be delivered in Hindi.
Reason (R): Article 348 allows Hindi in SC.
A) A false, R false
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: SC judgments are delivered in English.
Q100. Assertion (A): Constitution declares Hindi as national language.
Reason (R): Article 343 provides for it.
A) A false, R false
✅ Correct: A
Explanation: Constitution declares Hindi as official language, not national language.
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