Promotion of Hindi in Higher Courts

Constitutional Provisions

• Article 348(1)(a): Proceedings in Supreme Court and High Courts shall be in English language.
• Article 348(2): Governor of a State may, with President’s consent, authorize the use of Hindi or other official language in High Court proceedings.

Official Language Act, 1963

• Section 7: Governor, with President’s consent, can authorize the use of Hindi or official state language, in addition to English, for judgments, decrees, or orders. A translation to English is mandatory for judgments in languages other than English.

Cabinet Committee Decision (21.05.1965)

• Consent of the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India is required for proposals related to the use of a language other than English in High Courts.

Authorization of Hindi Usage

• Hindi usage in High Court proceedings authorized under Article 348(2): Rajasthan (1950), Uttar Pradesh (1969), Madhya Pradesh (1971), Bihar (1972), after Cabinet Committee decision.

Supreme Court Initiatives

• AI Assisted Legal Translation Advisory Committee formed, chaired by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Abhay S. Oka.
• Translation Statistics (as of 02.12.2023):
  • Judgments Translated: 31,184
  • Languages: Hindi, Punjabi, Kannada, Tamil, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, Malayalam, Odia, Bengali, Nepali, Urdu, Assamese, Garo, Khasi, Konkani.

High Courts Collaboration

• Similar committees in High Courts headed by respective judges.
• Collaboration for translating e-SCR judgments into 16 vernacular languages.
• Translation Statistics (as of information received):
  • Judgments Translated: 4,983

Legislative Reply in Lok Sabha

• Information provided by Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Law and Justice; Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; Minister of State for the Ministry of Culture.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. Which article of the Indian Constitution states that proceedings in Supreme Court and High Courts shall be in English language?
   • A) Article 348(2)
   • B) Article 348(1)(a)
   • C) Article 7
   • D) Article 21
   Answer: B) Article 348(1)(a)
2. Under which constitutional provision can the Governor of a State authorize the use of Hindi or other official language in High Court proceedings?
   • A) Article 7
   • B) Article 348(1)(a)
   • C) Article 348(2)
   • D) Article 21
   Answer: C) Article 348(2)
3. What is the key requirement mentioned in Section 7 of the Official Language Act, 1963, for judgments in languages other than English?
   • A) President’s consent
   • B) Chief Justice’s consent
   • C) Translation to English
   • D) Cabinet Committee approval
   Answer: C) Translation to English