Official Languages Act 1963 (Rajbhasha Adhiniyam): Explained

Official Languages Act, 1963: Key Highlights

Point	Details
Name of Act	The Official Languages Act, 1963
Act Number	Act No. 19 of 1963
Date of Act	10 May 1963
Main Purpose	To provide for languages used for official purposes of the Union
Related Constitutional Article	Article 343 of Indian Constitution
Main Languages Covered	Hindi and English
Section 3 Commencement Date	26 January 1965
Parliament Use	English may continue for transaction of business in Parliament
Union Official Work	English may continue along with Hindi
Central Acts and Ordinances	Authorised Hindi translations can be published
High Court Use	Hindi or state official language may be used with President’s consent and English translation
Rule-Making Power	Central Government can make rules under Section 8

Why Was the Official Languages Act, 1963 Passed?

To continue English after 1965: Article 343 allowed English for 15 years after the Indian Constitution began. The Act gave legal support for English to continue after that period.

• To avoid sudden administrative change: Government work, Parliament, legal documents, and official communication were already using English. Removing it suddenly would have created confusion.
• To respect non-Hindi speaking states: Many states had not adopted Hindi as their official language. The Act protected their communication needs with the Union Government.
• To support Hindi and English together: The Act did not remove Hindi. It allowed Hindi and English to work together for Union official purposes.
• To regulate Parliament and official documents: The Act clarified language use in Parliament, Central Acts, State Acts, reports, rules, notifications, contracts, and official papers.
• To provide language rules for High Courts: It allowed the use of Hindi or a state’s official language in High Court judgments, decrees, or orders, but only with the President’s consent and English translation.
• To maintain public and administrative convenience: The Act ensured that people working in Hindi or English were not placed at a disadvantage only because they did not know both languages.

Check out other important Indian Constitution topics here:

Fundamental Rights of Indian Constitution	Schedules of Indian Constitution
Salient Features of Indian Constitution	Facts About Indian Constitution
Fundamental Duties of Indian Constitution	Parts of Indian Constitution

Section 1: Short Title and Commencement

Section 1 of the Official Languages Act, 1963 gives the short title and commencement details of the Act. It says that this law may be called The Official Languages Act, 1963. It also explains when different provisions of the Act would come into force. 

Section 3 was specifically fixed to come into force on 26 January 1965, the date when the 15-year period mentioned in Article 343 was ending. Other provisions were to come into force on dates notified by the Central Government in the Official Gazette.

• The Act is officially called The Official Languages Act, 1963.
• Section 3 came into force on 26 January 1965.
• Other provisions came into force on dates notified by the Central Government.
• Different dates could be appointed for different provisions of the Act.
• The commencement structure shows that the Act was planned around the end of the 15-year English continuation period under Article 343.

Section 2: Important Definitions Under the Act

Section 2 of the Official Languages Act, 1963 gives two important definitions that help us understand the Act clearly. It defines the meaning of appointed day and Hindi. These definitions are short, but they are important because the Act deals with the use of Hindi and English for official purposes. 

The Act does not use the word Hindi in a general sense. It clearly says that Hindi means Hindi in Devanagari script. It also links the appointed day for Section 3 to 26 January 1965, the date when the 15-year period under Article 343 was ending.

Term	Meaning Under the Act
Appointed Day	For Section 3, it means 26 January 1965
Appointed Day for Other Sections	The date on which that particular provision comes into force
Hindi	Hindi in Devanagari script

• Section 2 defines “appointed day” and “Hindi.”
• For Section 3, the appointed day is 26 January 1965.
• The Act defines Hindi as Hindi in Devanagari script.
• This definition connects the Act directly with Article 343.
• It helps avoid confusion between spoken Hindi and official Hindi used under the Act.

Explore important Legal Education resources here:

Articles of Indian Constitution	Article 14 of Indian Constitution
Legal Awareness and Law Resources	Article 15 of Indian Constitution

Section 3: Continuance of English Language

Section 3 is the most important part of the Official Languages Act, 1963. It says that even after the end of the 15-year period mentioned in Article 343, English may continue to be used in addition to Hindi for official purposes of the Union. This provision became important because the 15-year period from 26 January 1950 was ending on 26 January 1965. Without this Act, there could have been confusion about the role of English in Union government work, Parliament, and communication with states.

Section 3 also says that English may continue to be used for the transaction of business in Parliament. It further protects states that have not adopted Hindi as their official language by requiring English for communication between the Union and such states.

• English continues after the 15-year period mentioned in Article 343.
• English is used in addition to Hindi, not in place of Hindi.
• English can be used for official purposes of the Union.
• English can be used for the transaction of business in Parliament.
• English must be used for communication between the Union and a state that has not adopted Hindi.
• If Hindi is used between a Hindi-speaking state and a non-Hindi-speaking state, English translation must also be provided.
• This section is the main legal reason English continues in Union government work.

Communication Rules Under Section 3

Section 3 also explains how communication should happen between the Union, states, ministries, departments, offices, and government-owned companies. The main purpose is to ensure that language does not create confusion in official work. The Act gives space to Hindi, but it also protects the use of English, especially where communication involves non-Hindi speaking states or offices where staff may not have working knowledge of Hindi.

Communication Situation	Language Rule
Union Government and a state that has not adopted Hindi	English must be used
Hindi state communicating with a non-Hindi state in Hindi	English translation must be attached
Non-Hindi state using Hindi with the Union or Hindi state	Allowed; English is not compulsory in that case
One Central Government ministry or department to another	Translation in Hindi or English may be required
Central Government office and Central Government-owned company	Translation may be required
One Central Government-owned company to another	Translation may be required
Staff without working knowledge of Hindi	Translation support continues until working knowledge is acquired

Where Both Hindi and English Must Be Used?

Section 3(3) clearly lists documents and official materials where both Hindi and English must be used. 

Document / Official Work	Language Requirement
Resolutions	Hindi and English
General orders	Hindi and English
Rules	Hindi and English
Notifications	Hindi and English
Administrative reports	Hindi and English
Other official reports	Hindi and English
Press communiques	Hindi and English
Reports laid before Parliament	Hindi and English
Official papers laid before Parliament	Hindi and English
Contracts	Hindi and English
Agreements	Hindi and English
Licences	Hindi and English
Permits	Hindi and English
Notices	Hindi and English
Tender forms	Hindi and English

Protection for Officers Knowing Hindi or English

Section 3(4) protects officers and employees working in connection with Union government affairs. It says that while making rules about language use, the Central Government must consider quick and efficient disposal of official work and the interests of the general public. 

• Central Government can make rules for language use.
• Rules must support quick and efficient official work.
• Public interest must be considered.
• Employees knowing Hindi should not be disadvantaged.
• Employees knowing English should not be disadvantaged.
• Knowledge of both languages should not be forced in a way that harms work.
• The Act protects administrative fairness.

When Can English Use Be Discontinued?

Section 3(5) makes it clear that English cannot be discontinued suddenly. The use of English for official purposes can stop only after a strict process. 

• English use cannot be stopped by the Union Government alone.
• All non-Hindi states must pass resolutions for discontinuing English.
• Both Houses of Parliament must also pass resolutions.
• Until this process happens, English continues.
• This provision protects non-Hindi speaking states.
• It also shows that the Act was made to balance Hindi promotion with linguistic diversity.

Check out more Law-Related Topics here:

Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala	Preamble of the Indian Constitution
Constitution Day of India	Sources of Indian Constitution
Drafting Committee of Indian Constitution	Indian Constitution is Both Rigid and Flexible

Section 4: Committee on Official Language

Section 4 of the Official Languages Act, 1963 provides for the formation of a Committee on Official Language. This committee is meant to review the progress made in the use of Hindi for official purposes of the Union. 

Point	Details
Section	Section 4
Committee Name	Committee on Official Language
Formation Time	After 10 years from the date Section 3 comes into force
Total Members	30
Lok Sabha Members	20
Rajya Sabha Members	10
Election Method	Proportional representation by single transferable vote
Main Duty	Review progress in the use of Hindi for Union official purposes
Report Submitted To	President of India
Report Sent To	Parliament and State Governments

• The committee reviews the use of Hindi in Union government work.
• It submits recommendations to the President.
• The President lays the report before both Houses of Parliament.
• The report is also sent to all State Governments.
• The President may issue directions after considering the report and views of State Governments.
• Directions must not be inconsistent with Section 3.

Learn about the National Language of India here!

Section 5: Authorised Hindi Translation of Central Acts

Section 5 of the Official Languages Act, 1963 deals with the authorised Hindi translation of Central Acts, Ordinances, orders, rules, regulations, and by-laws. It says that when a Hindi translation is published under the authority of the President in the Official Gazette, it shall be treated as the authoritative text in Hindi.

This section is important because it gives legal value to official Hindi translations of Central laws. It also says that Bills introduced in Parliament, or amendments moved in either House, must be accompanied by an authorised Hindi translation. This helps make Union laws accessible in Hindi while keeping legal accuracy.

Section 6: Authorised Hindi Translation of State Acts

Section 6 deals with authorised Hindi translation of State Acts in certain cases. If a State Legislature uses a language other than Hindi for its Acts or if the Governor issues an Ordinance in a language other than Hindi, a Hindi translation may also be published. This translation must be published under the authority of the Governor in the Official Gazette of the State.

When this is done, the Hindi translation is treated as the authoritative text in Hindi. This section is useful because states in India use different official languages. Section 6 allows Hindi translations of State laws without replacing the state’s own language.

Point	Details
Section	Section 6
Topic	Authorised Hindi translation of State Acts
Applies To	State Acts and Ordinances
Authority	Governor of the State
Where Published	Official Gazette of the State
When Used	When a State uses a language other than Hindi
Legal Status	Authoritative text in Hindi
English Link	Article 348(3) also requires English translation in certain cases

Discover More Legal Concepts:

Amendment of Indian Constitution	Courtroom Genius by Nani Palkhivala
Salary of President of India	Basic Structure Doctrine of Indian Constitution

Section 7: Optional Use of Hindi or State Official Language in High Courts

Section 7 allows the use of Hindi or the official language of a State in High Court judgments, decrees, or orders. However, this use is not automatic. The Governor of the State must get the previous consent of the President before authorizing such use.

Even when a judgment, decree, or order is passed in Hindi or the State’s official language, an English translation must be attached. This translation must be issued under the authority of the High Court. This section is important because it allows regional language use in High Courts, but keeps English available for legal clarity and wider understanding.

Point	Details
Section	Section 7
Topic	Use of Hindi or State official language in High Courts
Who Can Authorize	Governor of the State
Required Consent	Previous consent of the President
Applies To	High Court judgment, decree, or order
English Translation	Required if judgment is not in English
Translation Authority	High Court
Nature of Provision	Optional, not automatic

Section 8: Power to Make Rules

Section 8 gives the Central Government power to make rules for carrying out the purposes of the Official Languages Act, 1963. These rules are made by notification in the Official Gazette. This section helps the government create practical rules for applying the Act in real official work.

The section also provides parliamentary control over rule-making. Every rule made under this section must be placed before both Houses of Parliament. If both Houses agree to modify or reject the rule, the rule will work only in the modified form or will have no effect.

Point	Details
Section	Section 8
Topic	Power to make rules
Rule-Making Authority	Central Government
Mode	Notification in the Official Gazette
Purpose	To carry out the purposes of the Act
Parliamentary Control	Rules must be laid before both Houses of Parliament
Modification	Parliament can modify rules
Annulment	Parliament can decide that a rule should not be made

Explore essential Legal Learning resources:

Uniform Civil Code	Highest Paying Legal Career Paths in India
Wildlife Protection Act 1972	Ram Jethmalani: Complete Details
Kapil Sibal: All Details	Nani Palkhivala
Top Lessons from Ram Jethmalani	Nani Palkhiwala Moot Court Competition
Anti Defection Law	Difference between Act and Law
Highest Paid Lawyers in India	How to study Law in India
Important Acts in India	How to Become a Lawyer in India
Upcoming Law Entrance Exams in India	Best Books & Novels for Law Students & Lawyers
Lesser Known Laws in India	Republic Feature of Indian Constitution is Borrowed From Which Country?

Section 9: Jammu & Kashmir

Section 9 earlier dealt with certain provisions not applying to Jammu and Kashmir. However, this section has now been omitted. The omission was made through legal changes linked with the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation and related adaptation orders.

The important point is that Section 9 is no longer active in the Act. When revising the Official Languages Act, 1963, remember that Section 9 has been omitted and should not be treated as a current operative provision.

Point	Details
Section	Section 9
Earlier Topic	Certain provisions not to apply to Jammu and Kashmir
Current Status	Omitted
Omitted By	Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation-related adaptation orders
Exam Note	Section 9 is not a current operative provision

Official Languages Act, 1963 PDF

Download our free PDF covering the purpose of the Act, Section 3, use of Hindi and English, language rules for Parliament, Central Acts, State Acts, High Courts, and important exam facts.

Download PD