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Part XVII · Official Language · Chapter I — Language Of The Union

Article 343: Official language of the Union

Official text as on 1 May 2024

Text of Article 343

(1) The official language of the Union shall be Hindi in Devanagari script.

The form of numerals to be used for the official purposes of the Union shall be the international form of Indian numerals.

(2) Notwithstanding anything in clause (1), for a period of fifteen years from the commencement of this Constitution, the English language shall continue to be used for all the official purposes of the Union for which it was being used immediately before such commencement:

Provided that the President may, during the said period, by order1 authorise the use of the Hindi language in addition to the English language and of the Devanagari form of numerals in addition to the international form of Indian numerals for any of the official purposes of the Union.

(3) Notwithstanding anything in this article, Parliament may by law provide for the use, after the said period of fifteen years, of—

(a) the English language; or

(b) the Devanagari form of numerals, for such purposes as may be specified in the law.

Words in [square brackets] were inserted or substituted by later amendments (see below). Source: Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India

A plain-English explanation of Article 343, landmark judgments and exam facts are being added to this page.

More in Part XVII: Official Language · Constitution quiz

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