Question map
Which of the following is/are not central feature(s) of Article 343 of the Constitution of India? 1. Hindi in Devanagari Script shall be the national language of the Union. 2. The official language of the Union shall be Hindi in Devanagari Script. 3. English language shall continue to be used for official purposes within States. 4. If two or more States agree, Hindi language should be the official language of communication between the States. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
Article 343(1) specifies that the official language of the Union is Hindi in Devanagari script [5]. Statement 1 is incorrect because the Constitution does not designate Hindi as the 'national language'; it is the 'official language' [1]. Statement 3 is incorrect because Article 343 pertains to the official purposes of the Union, not the States; provisions for English in States are found in Article 345 [6]. Statement 4 is incorrect as a feature of Article 343; the provision allowing two or more States to agree on using Hindi for communication is actually contained in Article 346 [5]. Article 343 primarily focuses on the Union's official language, the form of numerals, and the 15-year transition period for English [6]. Since statements 1, 3, and 4 are not features of Article 343, option 1 is correct.
Sources
- [1] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 33: LANGUAGES > 466 INTRODUCTION TO THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA [CHAP. 33 > p. 466
- [3] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 73: Official Language > LANGUAGE OF THE UNION > p. 540
- [5] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 92: World Constitutions > OFFICIAL LANGUAGE > p. 705
- [4] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 33: LANGUAGES > 466 INTRODUCTION TO THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA [CHAP. 33 > p. 468
- [6] https://www.mea.gov.in/Images/pdf1/Part17.pdf
- [2] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 73: Official Language > REGIONAL LANGUAGES > p. 541