Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution: Languages, Provisions, and its Significance – UPSC, TNPSC Special Edition

India is a diverse country, where cultures and languages are the heart of national unity. To respect, protect, and foster this diversity, the Indian Constitution has made a special provision: the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

For students preparing for competitive exams, a comprehensive understanding of this schedule is essential. In this detailed article, we explain the Eighth Schedule, its provisions, the languages included, and its historical background in a simple and clear manner. This will not only help in preparing for all government competitive exams like UPSC, TNPSC but also aid in understanding India’s linguistic diversity.

Quick Facts: Eighth Schedule

What is the Eighth Schedule?

The Eighth Schedule is part of Part XVII of the Indian Constitution. It lists the officially recognized languages of India and aims to preserve the country’s linguistic diversity by promoting the development of these languages.

When the Constitution came into effect in 1950, the Eighth Schedule included only 14 languages. Over time, through various constitutional amendments, this number has increased to 22 languages.

Being listed in the Eighth Schedule provides a language with several benefits, such as:

• Recognition by national institutions like the Sahitya Akademi
• Financial assistance from the central government for language development
• Use in Parliament and state legislatures
• Permission to appear for UPSC, TNPSC, and other competitive exams in that language

In essence, the Eighth Schedule is a constitutional tool to protect, promote, and empower India’s regional languages.

Provisions (Articles) of the Eighth Schedule

The key constitutional provisions related to the Eighth Schedule are mainly found in Articles 344 and 351 of the Indian Constitution. These articles outline the framework for the use, development, and promotion of official languages in India.

1. Article 344: Official Language Commission & Parliamentary Committee

Article 344(1) mandates the President of India to constitute an Official Language Commission:

• Timeline:
  • First commission: After 5 years from the commencement of the Constitution.
  • Subsequent commissions: After every 10 years.

Primary functions of the Commission include making recommendations on:

• The progressive use of Hindi for the official purposes of the Union.
• The restrictions on the use of English for all or any official purposes of the Union.
• The language to be used in the Supreme Court and High Courts.
• The form of numerals to be used for official purposes (whether international or Devanagari form).

Representation Clause:

• The Commission must include members representing the different languages specified in the Eighth Schedule, ensuring inclusive and diverse representation.

2. Article 351: Directive for the Development of the Hindi Language

Article 351 places a duty on the Union Government to promote the spread and development of Hindi across the nation.

Key directives include:

• Promote Hindi as a medium of expression for all elements of India’s composite culture.
• Develop Hindi by assimilating forms, styles, and expressions from:
  • Hindustani, and
  • Other languages specified in the Eighth Schedule.
• Draw vocabulary primarily from Sanskrit, and secondarily from other Indian languages.
• Ensure that this development does not interfere with the natural genius or integrity of the Hindi language.

Summary Insight

Together, Articles 344 and 351 reflect the Constitution’s balanced approach:

• Preserving India’s multilingual heritage (via the Eighth Schedule).
• Promoting Hindi as the unifying official language of the Union — with support from other Indian languages.

The 22 Official Languages in the Eighth Schedule

Currently, the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution includes 22 languages. They are as follows:

Note: Bodo, Santhali, Maithili, and Dogri languages were added in 2003 through the 92nd Constitutional Amendment.

History of Language Inclusion in the Eighth Schedule – Timeline

The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution has evolved to reflect the country’s rich linguistic diversity, expanding significantly since its inception.

I. Initial Inclusion (1950):

When the Indian Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950, the Eighth Schedule initially contained 14 languages:

• Assamese
• Bengali
• Gujarati
• Hindi
• Kannada
• Kashmiri
• Malayalam
• Marathi
• Odia (then known as Oriya)
• Punjabi
• Sanskrit
• Tamil
• Telugu
• Urdu

II. Timeline of Amendments

1. 1967 – 21st Constitutional Amendment Act: This amendment marked the first expansion of the Schedule.

• Sindhi was added as the 15th language.

2. 1992 – 71st Constitutional Amendment Act: This amendment introduced three new languages.

• Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali were added.
• Total languages increased to 18.

3. 2003 – 92nd Constitutional Amendment Act: This significant amendment added four languages, bringing the total to its current count.

• Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali were included.
• Total languages increased to 22.

4. 2011 – 96th Constitutional Amendment Act This amendment focused on a linguistic nomenclature change.

• Name changed from ‘Oriya’ to ‘Odia’ (no new language added).

Key Takeaway

These amendments highlight how the Constitution has progressively acknowledged India’s linguistic and cultural richness, ensuring representation and preservation of diverse languages.

Significance of the Eighth Schedule

The Eighth Schedule makes a significant contribution to the Indian Constitution. Its importance can be seen in a few points:

• Recognition of Linguistic Diversity: It officially recognizes India’s immense linguistic diversity, granting due respect to each language. This strengthens national unity.
• Development and Promotion of Languages: The central government provides various schemes and financial assistance for the development and promotion of languages included in this schedule. Institutions like the Sahitya Akademi recognize and encourage literary works in these languages.
• Official Use: These languages are used for official purposes such as parliamentary proceedings, judicial matters, and communication between the central government and states.
• Education and Competitive Examinations: All-India and state-level competitive examinations like UPSC and TNPSC can be written in the languages listed in this schedule. This ensures equal opportunities for all, without a language barrier.
• Cultural Preservation: Each language is an identity of a culture. By protecting languages, the Eighth Schedule also preserves India’s rich cultural heritage.

Criteria for Inclusion in the Eighth Schedule

Note: There is no official or fixed criterion laid down by the Constitution for including languages in the Eighth Schedule. However, several committees have proposed guidelines over the years.

1. Constituent Assembly’s View

• No formal criteria was defined.
• Inclusion was based on broad cultural and linguistic significance.

2. Ashok Pahwa Committee (1996) – Key Recommendations:

A language may be qualify if:

• It is an official language in at least one state.
• Spoken by a significant portion of a state’s population.
• It is an independent language, not a dialect/derivative of another scheduled language.
• Recognised by the Sahitya Akademi.
• Has a well-developed literary tradition.

3. Sitakant Mohapatra Committee (2003) – Additional Criteria:

• Minimum 5 million speakers (based on census data from past 3 decades).
• Used as medium of instruction in schools up to secondary level (preferably up to university).
• Script must be in established use for at least 50 years, whether:
  • Indigenous, or
  • Borrowed from a dominant regional language, or
  • In Devanagari script.

4. Current Status (As per Ministry of Home Affairs)

• Despite committee inputs, no fixed criteria officially adopted.
• Ministry of Home Affairs clarifies:
  • Reason: Language development is dynamic, influenced by:
    • Social
    • Economic
    • Political factors
  • Hence, defining rigid standards is difficult.

Why is English Not in the Eighth Schedule?

A common question many people have is why English, despite being widely used in India, is not in the Eighth Schedule. There are several reasons behind this:

• The Eighth Schedule lists “Indian” languages recognized by the Indian Constitution. English is a foreign language.
• English is already an Official Language. According to Article 343 of the Constitution, Hindi in Devanagari script is the official language of the Union, and English would continue to be used for 15 years. Later, Parliament enacted the Official Languages Act, 1963, which allowed English to continue to be used as an official language.
• The purpose of the Eighth Schedule is to ensure the growth and development of regional languages of India. English already has sufficient importance and usage.

Challenges and Debates

1. Demands for Inclusion of New Languages: Demands to include more languages in the Eighth Schedule arise periodically. Many linguistic communities, including those speaking Bhojpuri, Rajasthani, and Magahi, have been requesting the inclusion of their languages. The government carefully examines such requests, considering various aspects like the language’s usage, literary tradition, and regional prevalence before making a decision.
2. Hindi Dominance: Article 351 emphasizes the development of the Hindi language. This has created opposition in some states, especially in Tamil Nadu.
3. Administrative Challenges: There are also arguments that recognizing too many languages would create some administrative and financial challenges, especially in terms of translation.

Recommendations for UPSC and TNPSC Exam Aspirants

Preparation Strategies

• Understand the Basics: Know the number and features of the Eighth Schedule.
• Memorize: Memorize the years languages were added, the amendments, and the provisions.
• Current Affairs: Follow news about demands to add new languages. Understand the political and social debates related to language.
• Previous Year Questions: Practice questions related to the Eighth Schedule from UPSC and TNPSC exams.
• Take Notes: Create a table of languages, amendments, and their years to memorize.
• Prepare for MCQ, Match the Following type questions.

Key Questions

• How many languages are currently in the Eighth Schedule?
• Through which amendments were new languages added?
• What are the important articles related to languages in the Indian Constitution?
• In which schedule of the Constitution are languages specified?
• Which was the first language in the Eighth Schedule?
• What is the main feature of the 92nd Amendment?
• In which year was Tamil added to the schedule?

Important Questions MCQs on Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution:

Language Development and Government’s Role

The Department of Official Language of the Government of India implements development schemes for the languages included in the 8th Schedule. It creates an environment for the growth of these languages in schools, colleges, and workplaces.

Key Schemes:

• Formation of Language Reform Committees
• Increased use of languages in government publications
• Language appreciation conferences and awards

Future Expectations

Many states and language groups have requested the inclusion of new languages in the 8th Schedule. Some key demands are:

Languages Demanding Inclusion in the Eighth Schedule (Total: 38)

✅ These demands reflect India’s vast linguistic diversity and the aspirations of various regional communities seeking official recognition.

Important Debate: Adding too many languages can create administrative complications and political arguments.

Introduction of Classical Languages in India

In October 2004, the Government of India introduced a new category called “Classical Languages” to recognize languages with a rich heritage, historical significance, and ancient literary tradition.

Current List of Classical Languages (Updated):

As of October 2024, there are 11 languages that have been accorded Classical Language status:

1. Tamil (2004)
2. Sanskrit (2005)
3. Kannada (2008)
4. Telugu (2008)
5. Malayalam (2013)
6. Odia (2014)
7. Marathi (October 2024)
8. Pali (October 2024)
9. Prakrit (October 2024)
10. Assamese (October 2024)
11. Bengali (October 2024)

What are the criteria for declaring a language as classical?

2004 – Introduction of Classical Language Category

The Government of India created a new category of “Classical Languages” in 2004. The initial criteria were:

• High antiquity of early texts (over 1000 years).
• Presence of ancient literature considered a valuable heritage.
• Original literary tradition, not borrowed from another speech community.

2005 – First Revision by Linguistic Experts Committee (LEC)

The criteria were revised in November 2005. Sanskrit was declared a classical language under this version.

• Antiquity of 1500–2000 years.
• Ancient literature/texts regarded as heritage by generations.
• Original (not derivative) literary tradition.
• Classical form may be distinct/discontinuous from its modern or descendant forms.

2024 – Latest Revision by LEC (Sahitya Akademi)

The 2024 revision emphasised knowledge literature and inscriptional evidence:

• Antiquity of 1500–2000 years.
• Literature considered heritage by generations.
• Presence of prose texts, inscriptions, and epigraphical evidence.
• Classical form may be discontinuous or distinct from modern versions.

• 2024 Linguistic Expert Committee Recommendations:
  • Recommended and approved Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, Bengali for Classical Language status.

Conclusion

The Eighth Schedule is not just a list of languages—it’s a constitutional tool that empowers India’s linguistic communities and protects cultural identity. For aspirants preparing for UPSC, TNPSC, or other state-level exams, this topic is frequently tested and should be studied with precision and context.

Important Note: A complete understanding can be gained by studying the content in this section in comparison with the NCERT Indian Constitution textbook.

Also Reading:

• No-Confidence Motions in Lok Sabha