What is Article 343?
Historical Background
Key Points
8 points- 1.
The official language of the Union shall be Hindi in Devanagari script.
- 2.
For 15 years from the commencement of the Constitution, English shall continue to be used for all official purposes.
- 3.
Parliament may, by law, provide for the use of the English language or the Devanagari form of numerals for such purposes as may be specified in the law.
- 4.
Deals with the form of numerals to be used for official purposes of the Union.
- 5.
Visual Insights
Article 343 vs. Official Languages Act, 1963
This table compares Article 343 of the Constitution of India with the Official Languages Act, 1963, highlighting their key provisions and differences.
| Feature | Article 343 | Official Languages Act, 1963 |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Declares Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union and allows for the use of English for 15 years. | Allowed for the continued use of English beyond the initial 15-year period. |
| Scope | Deals with the official language and numerals of the Union. | Addresses the use of English and Hindi in official purposes of the Union and Parliament. |
| Key Provision | Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language; English to be used for 15 years. | Parliament may, by law, provide for the use of English. |
| Impact | Established the initial framework for the official language policy. | Extended the use of English, addressing concerns of non-Hindi speaking regions. |
Source Topic
Constituent Assembly's Debate: Numerals, Cultural Pride, and Pragmatic Modernity
Polity & GovernanceUPSC Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
121. What is Article 343 and its constitutional basis?
Article 343 of the Constitution of India deals with the Official Language of the Union. It's part of Part XVII of the Constitution, which addresses Official Languages. The article declares Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union, while also allowing for the continued use of English for official purposes for an initial period of fifteen years from the commencement of the Constitution.
Exam Tip
Remember that Article 343 is the foundational article for understanding the official language provisions in the Indian Constitution.
2. What are the key provisions of Article 343?
The key provisions of Article 343 are: - The official language of the Union shall be Hindi in Devanagari script. - For 15 years from the commencement of the Constitution, English shall continue to be used for all official purposes. - Parliament may, by law, provide for the use of the English language or the Devanagari form of numerals for such purposes as may be specified in the law.
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