Indian Languages: Classical Languages and Eighth Schedule

TOPIC CLASSIFICATION

Subject: Art & Culture / Polity | Topic: Languages in India Sub-topic: Classical Languages, Eighth Schedule, Constitutional Provisions Prelims Focus: List of Classical Languages, criteria for classical status, Eighth Schedule languages Mains Focus: Linguistic diversity, language policy, status of classical languages

EXAMINER REASONING

UPSC tests the intersection of culture and constitutional provisions through the lens of language policy. Questions often revolve around the Eighth Schedule (Article 344/351), the criteria for classical language status, and the socio-political dynamics of language recognition. Prelims frequently asks about the number of classical languages and recent additions.

Core Concept

India is a multilingual country with 22 languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Additionally, six languages have been accorded Classical Language status, recognising their antiquity, rich literary tradition, and historical significance.

Eighth Schedule (Article 344 & 351)

The Eighth Schedule lists 22 official languages of India. They are: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kashmiri, Kannada, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu.

Constitutional Provisions:

• Article 344: Composition of the Official Language Commission.
• Article 351: Directive for development of Hindi language.
• Article 350A: Facilities for instruction in mother tongue at primary stage.
• Article 350B: Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities.
• Sindhi was added in 1967 (21st Amendment).
• Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali added in 1992 (71st Amendment).
• Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Santali added in 2003 (92nd Amendment).

Classical Languages of India