Part XVII - Official Language • Article

Article 346 Simplified: Official language for communication between one State and another or between a State and the Union

Article 346 (Official language for communication between one State and another or between a State and the Union) governs official languages, detailing the languages used in state communications, in the Supreme Court and High Courts, and for drafting bills and laws to ensure administrative clarity.

Official Text

The language for the time being authorised for use in the Union for official purposes shall be the official language for communication between one State and another State and between a State and the Union: ANGUAGE ) Provided that if two or more States agree that the Hindi language should be the official language for communication between such States, that language may be used for such communication.

Simple Meaning

Explain Like Ten

When different states talk to each other or to the central government, they must use the main language of the Union (usually English). If two states agree, they can talk to each other in Hindi.

Student Mode

Outlines the official language for communication between States and between a State and the Union. By default, the language authorized for Union purposes (English or Hindi) must be used. However, the proviso permits two or more States to mutually agree to use Hindi for communication between themselves.

Example

For a real constitutional problem about official language for communication between one state and another or between a state and the union, Article 346 gives the starting rule and connects it to the wider system of constitutional governance.

Key Takeaway

Article 346 anchors official language for communication between one state and another or between a state and the union within India's constitutional system.

FAQs

What language is used for communication between a non-Hindi state and the Union?

Communication between a non-Hindi state and the Union takes place in English, which is the authorized language for the Union under the Official Languages Act, 1963.

Can two states communicate in Hindi if one of them is non-Hindi speaking?

Only if both states mutually agree. The proviso to Article 346 specifies 'if two or more States agree that the Hindi language should be the official language...'. Without mutual agreement, the default Union official language (English) is used.

Quiz

What is the default language for communication between a State and the Union under Article 346?

Answer: The language authorized for official purposes in the Union

Under the proviso to Article 346, two states can communicate in Hindi only if:

Answer: They mutually agree to use Hindi