Practice question set with answers. Use deep links to save questions.
5010 questions loaded. Showing page 17 of 63 for fast crawlable revision and deep linking.
1281. The first Official Language Commission, constituted in 1955 under Article 344(1), was headed by:
- A. B. G. Kher
- B. K. M. Munshi
- C. Govind Ballabh Pant
- D. Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer: B. G. Kher
Explanation: The 1955 Commission was chaired by B. G. Kher and submitted its report in 1956; a Parliamentary Committee chaired by Govind Ballabh Pant then examined it in 1957.
1282. Article 344(1) requires the President to constitute the Official Language Commission 'at the expiration of five years from the commencement of this Constitution and thereafter at the expiration of' how many years?
- A. Fifteen years
- B. Five years
- C. Twenty years
- D. Ten years
Answer: Ten years
Explanation: Article 344(1): a Commission is to be constituted five years after commencement (i.e. 1955) and thereafter at the expiration of ten years.
1283. Under Article 344(4), the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language consists of how many members, and in what proportion from the two Houses?
- A. 20 members: 10 from each House
- B. 30 members: 20 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha
- C. 30 members: 15 from each House
- D. 40 members: 25 from Lok Sabha and 15 from Rajya Sabha
Answer: 30 members: 20 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha
Explanation: Article 344(4) provides for a Committee of thirty members, twenty to be elected by the House of the People and ten by the Council of States, in accordance with proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.
1284. Which of the following is the correct statement about the Union Territory of Chandigarh's classification under the Official Language Rules, 1976?
- A. Chandigarh is classified under Region 'C'
- B. Chandigarh is not classified under any Region
- C. Chandigarh is classified under Region 'A'
- D. Chandigarh is classified under Region 'B', not Region 'A', despite being geographically close to Hindi-speaking areas
Answer: Chandigarh is classified under Region 'B', not Region 'A', despite being geographically close to Hindi-speaking areas
Explanation: Despite its geographical proximity to Hindi and Punjabi speaking areas, the Union Territory of Chandigarh is specifically classified under Region 'B' (along with Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Punjab) under the Official Language Rules, 1976, a frequently tested exception.
1285. Which of the following best describes why Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand (created after 2000 by bifurcation of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh respectively) are classified under Region 'A' of the Official Language Rules, 1976?
- A. They are classified under Region B since they border non-Hindi states
- B. They are predominantly Hindi-speaking states carved out of existing Region A states, and have accordingly been treated as falling within Region A
- C. They are classified under Region C since they are newly formed states
- D. They were specifically excluded from any Region classification by a 2001 amendment
Answer: They are predominantly Hindi-speaking states carved out of existing Region A states, and have accordingly been treated as falling within Region A
Explanation: Since Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand were carved out of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh respectively — all pre-existing Region A (Hindi-speaking) states — and remain predominantly Hindi-speaking, they continue to be treated as Region A states under the Official Language Rules, 1976.
1286. Which of the following is a correct statement regarding the primary purpose of the Official Languages Act, 1963 as indicated in its long title?
- A. To provide for the languages which may be used for official purposes of the Union, for transaction of business in Parliament, for Central Acts, and for certain purposes in High Courts
- B. To fix the syllabus of Hindi taught in all private schools
- C. To determine the national anthem's language
- D. To regulate the languages used in private commercial contracts between two citizens
Answer: To provide for the languages which may be used for official purposes of the Union, for transaction of business in Parliament, for Central Acts, and for certain purposes in High Courts
Explanation: The Official Languages Act, 1963, as its long title indicates, provides for the languages which may be used for official purposes of the Union, for transaction of business in Parliament, for Central Acts and certain purposes in High Courts, implementing Articles 343, 348 and related constitutional provisions.
1287. Under the proviso to Article 348(2), even where a Governor authorises the use of Hindi in High Court proceedings, which part of the proceedings must still continue to be in English?
- A. Any judgment, decree, or order passed or made by that High Court
- B. Only the case title/cause list
- C. Oral arguments of junior counsel only
- D. Only the court's daily order sheet
Answer: Any judgment, decree, or order passed or made by that High Court
Explanation: The proviso to Article 348(2) specifically carves out an exception: notwithstanding the Governor's authorisation of Hindi use, any judgment, decree or order passed or made by that High Court must still be in English, ensuring uniformity and accessibility of judicial pronouncements.
1288. Which of the following High Courts has been authorised, with the previous consent of the President under Article 348(2), to permit the use of Hindi in its proceedings?
- A. Madras High Court
- B. Calcutta High Court
- C. Allahabad High Court (and several other High Courts of Hindi-speaking states such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar)
- D. Kerala High Court
Answer: Allahabad High Court (and several other High Courts of Hindi-speaking states such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar)
Explanation: Several High Courts of Hindi-speaking states — including Allahabad, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar — have been authorised under Article 348(2), with the Governor's authorisation and the President's previous consent, to permit the use of Hindi in addition to English in their proceedings.
1289. Which of the following best describes the relationship between the 'Hindi Teaching Scheme' and the separate 'Hindi Workshop' scheme run by the Department of Official Language?
- A. The Hindi Teaching Scheme is meant only for Members of Parliament
- B. The Hindi Teaching Scheme imparts basic language competence (Prabodh-Praveen-Pragya) to non-Hindi-knowing employees, while Hindi Workshops are shorter, practice-oriented sessions to train employees already possessing working knowledge to actually use Hindi in their day-to-day noting and drafting
- C. The Hindi Workshop replaced the Hindi Teaching Scheme entirely after 2000
- D. They are identical schemes with different names
Answer: The Hindi Teaching Scheme imparts basic language competence (Prabodh-Praveen-Pragya) to non-Hindi-knowing employees, while Hindi Workshops are shorter, practice-oriented sessions to train employees already possessing working knowledge to actually use Hindi in their day-to-day noting and drafting
Explanation: The Hindi Teaching Scheme builds foundational Hindi competence through its three successive stages, while Hindi Workshops are shorter practical sessions aimed at employees who already have working knowledge but need hands-on practice converting their day-to-day noting and drafting into Hindi.
1290. Which of the following correctly describes the special characteristic of the Official Languages Act, 1963, unlike most ordinary legislation, with respect to its continuance?
- A. It has no provision for a sunset clause/automatic expiry and continues in force indefinitely unless repealed by Parliament
- B. It expires automatically upon formation of a new Official Language Commission
- C. It is reviewed and renewed by the President every decade without Parliamentary involvement
- D. It automatically lapses every five years and must be re-enacted
Answer: It has no provision for a sunset clause/automatic expiry and continues in force indefinitely unless repealed by Parliament
Explanation: Unlike legislation with sunset clauses, the Official Languages Act, 1963 contains no automatic expiry provision; it remains in force indefinitely, continuing to govern the use of Hindi and English for official purposes of the Union unless expressly repealed or amended by Parliament.
1291. Which of the following statements regarding the status of English after the expiry of the fifteen-year period mentioned in Article 343(2) is correct?
- A. The Constitution was amended in 1965 to delete Article 343 entirely
- B. English ceased to have any official status whatsoever after 1965
- C. English became the sole official language replacing Hindi after 1965
- D. English continues to be used for official purposes of the Union, by virtue of the Official Languages Act, 1963 enacted under Article 343(3), notwithstanding the expiry of the 15-year period
Answer: English continues to be used for official purposes of the Union, by virtue of the Official Languages Act, 1963 enacted under Article 343(3), notwithstanding the expiry of the 15-year period
Explanation: Article 343(3) empowered Parliament to provide by law for the continued use of English even after the 15-year period under Article 343(2) expired (in 1965); Parliament exercised this power through the Official Languages Act, 1963, ensuring English's continuance as an associate official language.
1292. Which of the following describes the correct relationship between Articles 29 and 350A of the Constitution regarding minority language rights?
- A. Both Articles are Fundamental Rights with identical enforcement mechanisms
- B. Article 29(1) is a Fundamental Right protecting any section of citizens' right to conserve its distinct language/script/culture, while Article 350A is a Directive-type provision in Part XVII casting a duty on States to provide primary education facilities in the mother tongue of linguistic minority children
- C. Article 350A is a Fundamental Right while Article 29 is merely directory
- D. Neither Article has any connection to language rights
Answer: Article 29(1) is a Fundamental Right protecting any section of citizens' right to conserve its distinct language/script/culture, while Article 350A is a Directive-type provision in Part XVII casting a duty on States to provide primary education facilities in the mother tongue of linguistic minority children
Explanation: Article 29(1), a Fundamental Right under Part III, protects any section of citizens' right to conserve its distinct language, script, or culture. Article 350A, located in Part XVII, separately imposes a duty (not enforceable as a Fundamental Right) on States/local authorities to provide adequate primary education facilities in the mother tongue of linguistic minority children.
1293. Which of the following is the most accurate statement regarding the applicability of the Official Languages Act, 1963 and Rules, 1976 to Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) such as Indian Railways' production units?
- A. They do not apply to any government-owned corporation
- B. They apply to PSUs and Central Government-owned/controlled bodies as they fall within the definition of offices covered by the Act and Rules
- C. They apply only to private limited companies
- D. They apply only to cooperative societies
Answer: They apply to PSUs and Central Government-owned/controlled bodies as they fall within the definition of offices covered by the Act and Rules
Explanation: Central Government-owned or controlled corporations and companies, including Railway production units (which function as part of Indian Railways, a Central Government department), fall within the scope of 'office' under the Official Languages Act and Rules.
1294. Which of the following is NOT a genuine function of the Department of Official Language under the Ministry of Home Affairs?
- A. Conducting Rajbhasa inspections of Central Government offices
- B. Monitoring implementation of the Official Languages Act and Rules
- C. Organising Hindi Teaching Scheme examinations
- D. Fixing railway passenger fares and freight tariffs
Answer: Fixing railway passenger fares and freight tariffs
Explanation: Fixing railway fares and freight tariffs is a function of the Railway Ministry/Railway Board's commercial directorate, entirely unrelated to the Department of Official Language's mandate of monitoring Hindi policy implementation, training, and inspections.
1295. Which of the following is the correct description of the historical progression of the Eighth Schedule's language count?
- A. 22 (1950) → 18 (1967) → 15 (1992) → 14 (2003), a decreasing trend
- B. 14 (1950) → 18 (1967) → 22 (1992) → 24 (2003)
- C. 14 (1950) → 22 (1967) directly, with no intermediate stage
- D. 14 (1950) → 15 (1967, Sindhi added) → 18 (1992, Konkani/Manipuri/Nepali added) → 22 (2003, Bodo/Dogri/Maithili/Santhali added)
Answer: 14 (1950) → 15 (1967, Sindhi added) → 18 (1992, Konkani/Manipuri/Nepali added) → 22 (2003, Bodo/Dogri/Maithili/Santhali added)
Explanation: The Eighth Schedule grew progressively: 14 languages in 1950, 15 after Sindhi's addition in 1967, 18 after Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali were added in 1992, and finally 22 (the current number) after Bodo, Dogri, Maithili and Santhali were added in 2003.
1296. Which of the following correctly lists all 14 languages originally included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution in 1950?
- A. Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Marathi, Malayalam, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu
- B. Hindi, English, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Konkani, Nepali, Manipuri, Bodo, Maithili, Santhali, Dogri, Assamese, Bengali, and Gujarati
- C. Hindi, Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit, Urdu, Persian, Arabic, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Gujarati, and Punjabi
- D. Hindi, English, Punjabi, Sindhi, Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali, Bodo, Maithili, Dogri, Santhali, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada
Answer: Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Marathi, Malayalam, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu
Explanation: The original Eighth Schedule in 1950 listed 14 languages: Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Marathi, Malayalam, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. Sindhi was added later in 1967 as the 15th language.
1297. Which of the following is an accurate statement about the status of Urdu under the Constitution and the Eighth Schedule?
- A. Urdu is one of the original 14 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule in 1950 and is also an official language in several States including Jammu & Kashmir
- B. Urdu is the sole official language of the Union alongside Hindi
- C. Urdu was added to the Eighth Schedule only in 2003
- D. Urdu is not listed in the Eighth Schedule at all
Answer: Urdu is one of the original 14 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule in 1950 and is also an official language in several States including Jammu & Kashmir
Explanation: Urdu was among the original 14 languages included in the Eighth Schedule when the Constitution commenced in 1950, and it also enjoys official language status in several States/UTs such as Jammu & Kashmir, Telangana, and Delhi for specified purposes.
1298. The Official Language Resolution, 1968 was moved in and passed by both Houses of Parliament under the then Prime Ministership of whom?
- A. Indira Gandhi
- B. Lal Bahadur Shastri
- C. Morarji Desai
- D. Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer: Indira Gandhi
Explanation: The Official Language Resolution was moved and passed by both Houses of Parliament in 1968 during the Prime Ministership of Indira Gandhi, consolidating the policy framework on the pace and extent of Hindi's use.
1299. In the context of the Official Language Resolution, 1968, which of the following was explicitly affirmed regarding the pace of progressive use of Hindi?
- A. A strict five-year deadline for complete replacement of English was fixed
- B. The pace of progressive use of Hindi would be determined without fixing any time-limit for a mandatory switch-over, with English continuing in use as an associate official language
- C. English would be abolished with immediate effect from 1968
- D. Only Sanskrit would be used in place of English from 1968
Answer: The pace of progressive use of Hindi would be determined without fixing any time-limit for a mandatory switch-over, with English continuing in use as an associate official language
Explanation: The Official Language Resolution, 1968 affirmed that the progressive use of Hindi for official purposes would continue without a rigid deadline for abolishing English, effectively institutionalising a policy of bilingualism with English continuing as an associate official language.
1300. Which of the following best describes the purpose of periodic Parliamentary Committee on Official Language visits to Railway zones/divisions?
- A. To physically inspect and assess on-the-spot compliance with official language policy and record oral evidence/suggestions from officials
- B. To conduct safety audits of rolling stock
- C. To recruit new Railway employees
- D. To fix freight and passenger fares
Answer: To physically inspect and assess on-the-spot compliance with official language policy and record oral evidence/suggestions from officials
Explanation: Sub-committees of the Committee of Parliament on Official Language undertake on-the-spot study visits to various Central Government offices, including Railway establishments, to physically assess compliance with the official language policy and record evidence and suggestions from local officials.
1301. Which of the following statements about 'Hindi Divas' (14 September) versus 'Vishwa Hindi Diwas' (10 January) is correct?
- A. Hindi Divas commemorates the Constituent Assembly's 1949 adoption of Hindi as the official language, while Vishwa Hindi Diwas marks the anniversary of the first World Hindi Conference held in 1975
- B. Hindi Divas is observed internationally, while Vishwa Hindi Diwas is observed only within India
- C. Vishwa Hindi Diwas commemorates the Constituent Assembly's decision
- D. Both days commemorate the same event
Answer: Hindi Divas commemorates the Constituent Assembly's 1949 adoption of Hindi as the official language, while Vishwa Hindi Diwas marks the anniversary of the first World Hindi Conference held in 1975
Explanation: Hindi Divas (14 September) commemorates the Constituent Assembly's adoption of Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language on 14 September 1949, while Vishwa Hindi Diwas (10 January) marks the anniversary of the first World Hindi Conference inaugurated in Nagpur on 10 January 1975.
1302. Which of the following Zonal Railways would, by virtue of its headquarters location, be classified under Region 'A' (Hindi-speaking) for official language purposes?
- A. Northeast Frontier Railway (Guwahati)
- B. North Western Railway (Jaipur)
- C. South Eastern Railway (Kolkata)
- D. South Central Railway (Secunderabad)
Answer: North Western Railway (Jaipur)
Explanation: North Western Railway, headquartered at Jaipur in Rajasthan — a Hindi-speaking state — falls under Region A. Secunderabad (Telangana), Kolkata (West Bengal) and Guwahati (Assam) are all in Region C.
1303. Which of the following correctly identifies the matters the Official Language Commission must make recommendations on, as listed in Article 344(2)?
- A. Progressive use of Hindi for Union purposes, restrictions on use of English, scientific/technical terminology, and the script and form of numerals for use in the Union
- B. Only the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court
- C. Only the fixation of salaries of Union Ministers
- D. Only the demarcation of State boundaries
Answer: Progressive use of Hindi for Union purposes, restrictions on use of English, scientific/technical terminology, and the script and form of numerals for use in the Union
Explanation: Article 344(2) requires the Commission's recommendations to cover the progressive use of Hindi for official Union purposes, restrictions on English usage, the language for specified purposes, scientific/technical terminology, the script for Hindi, and the form of numerals, among related matters.
1304. The Official Language Commission (1955), chaired by B.G. Kher, submitted its report to the President in which year, as required under Article 344(2)?
- A. 1976
- B. 1950
- C. 1956
- D. 1965
Answer: 1956
Explanation: The Kher Commission, constituted in 1955, submitted its report to the President in 1956, making recommendations on the progressive use of Hindi for official purposes of the Union.
1305. The first Official Language Commission, constituted under Article 344(1) in 1955, was chaired by which eminent figure?
- A. B.G. Kher
- B. K.M. Munshi
- C. G.B. Pant
- D. C. Rajagopalachari
Answer: B.G. Kher
Explanation: The first Official Language Commission, constituted by the President in 1955 as required under Article 344(1), was chaired by B.G. Kher, former Chief Minister of Bombay, and submitted its report in 1956.
1306. Which of the following is the most accurate description of the relationship between Article 345 (regional official languages of a State) and Article 346 (inter-State/State-Union communication)?
- A. Article 345 governs only Union-level matters and Article 346 governs only judicial matters
- B. Both Articles deal exclusively with language of the judiciary
- C. Article 346 overrides and repeals Article 345
- D. Article 345 lets a State adopt its own official language(s) for intra-State use, while Article 346 fixes English (unless Parliament provides otherwise) as the language for communication between States or between a State and the Union
Answer: Article 345 lets a State adopt its own official language(s) for intra-State use, while Article 346 fixes English (unless Parliament provides otherwise) as the language for communication between States or between a State and the Union
Explanation: Article 345 empowers a State Legislature to adopt one or more languages for use within that State, while Article 346 separately governs the language for official communication between States, or between a State and the Union, which remains English unless Parliament provides otherwise.
1307. Which of the following documents, under Section 3(3) of the Official Languages Act, 1963, is specifically listed as requiring compulsory issuance in both Hindi and English?
- A. Private letters between two employees on personal matters
- B. Internal office diary entries of a single clerk
- C. A clerk's personal leave application
- D. General Orders, Resolutions, Administrative and other Reports
Answer: General Orders, Resolutions, Administrative and other Reports
Explanation: Section 3(3) of the Official Languages Act, 1963 lists specific categories such as resolutions, general orders, rules, notifications, administrative and other reports, and press communiqués as requiring compulsory issuance in both Hindi and English.
1308. Which of the following is NOT a stated objective of the Three Language Formula as evolved in India's education policy discourse?
- A. Promoting national integration through exposure to Hindi alongside the regional language
- B. Preserving and promoting the mother tongue/regional language of the state
- C. Ensuring continued access to English for higher education and administrative purposes
- D. Making one single language compulsorily uniform across all states for all subjects of instruction
Answer: Making one single language compulsorily uniform across all states for all subjects of instruction
Explanation: The Three Language Formula was never meant to impose one uniform language of instruction across the country; rather it envisages each student learning the regional/mother tongue, Hindi (or another Indian language in Hindi-speaking states), and English, balancing national integration, linguistic diversity, and practical need for English.
1309. Which of the following describes the correct historical sequence of events concerning the Official Language transitional period?
- A. 15-year period under Art. 343(2) → Amendment Act (1967) → Constitution commenced (1950) → Official Languages Act (1963)
- B. Official Languages Act (1963) → Constitution commenced (1950) → Amendment Act (1967) → 15-year period under Art. 343(2)
- C. Amendment Act (1967) → Official Languages Act (1963) → Constitution commenced (1950)
- D. Constitution commenced (1950) → 15-year English continuance period under Art. 343(2) → Official Languages Act enacted (1963) under Art. 343(3) → Official Languages (Amendment) Act, 1967
Answer: Constitution commenced (1950) → 15-year English continuance period under Art. 343(2) → Official Languages Act enacted (1963) under Art. 343(3) → Official Languages (Amendment) Act, 1967
Explanation: The chronological sequence is: the Constitution commenced on 26 January 1950, triggering the 15-year transitional continuance of English under Article 343(2) (till 1965); Parliament enacted the Official Languages Act in 1963 under Article 343(3) in anticipation of that expiry; and the Act was substantively strengthened by the Official Languages (Amendment) Act, 1967, following the 1965 agitation.
1310. Under the Official Language Rules, 1976, who is primarily responsible for ensuring compliance with the Rules within a Central Government office, as a matter of general administrative accountability?
- A. The Chief Justice of India
- B. Only the President of India personally
- C. The Administrative Head of that office/department
- D. Only the Union Home Minister personally
Answer: The Administrative Head of that office/department
Explanation: General administrative accountability for compliance with the Official Language Rules, 1976 within any Central Government office rests with its Administrative Head, who is expected to ensure that prescribed targets and procedural requirements are met, supported by the office's Rajbhasa Officer/Cell.
1311. The post-independence 'Munshi-Ayyangar formula' finally adopted by the Constituent Assembly, besides fixing the 15-year transition for English, also decided which other key point on numerals?
- A. Numerals would be left to each State's discretion
- B. International form of Indian numerals (Western Arabic numerals) would be used for official purposes of the Union, rather than Devanagari numerals
- C. Only Devanagari numerals would be used, with no alternative permitted
- D. Roman numerals would be compulsorily used
Answer: International form of Indian numerals (Western Arabic numerals) would be used for official purposes of the Union, rather than Devanagari numerals
Explanation: As part of the compromise reflected in Article 343(1), the Constituent Assembly decided that while the script would be Devanagari, the form of numerals for official Union purposes would be the international form of Indian numerals (0-9), not Devanagari numerals.
1312. Which of the following is the correct description of 'Rajbhasa Niti' (Official Language Policy) as distinct from 'Rajbhasa Adhiniyam' (Official Languages Act)?
- A. Both terms are legally and substantively identical with no distinction
- B. Policy applies only to States while the Act applies only to the Union
- C. Policy is enforceable in courts while the Act is not
- D. Policy refers to the broader programmatic direction (resolutions, annual programmes, three-language formula) while the Act is the specific statute, i.e., the Official Languages Act, 1963
Answer: Policy refers to the broader programmatic direction (resolutions, annual programmes, three-language formula) while the Act is the specific statute, i.e., the Official Languages Act, 1963
Explanation: 'Rajbhasa Niti' broadly encompasses policy instruments like the Official Language Resolution 1968, annual programmes, and the Three Language Formula, whereas the 'Rajbhasa Adhiniyam' specifically refers to the statutory Official Languages Act, 1963 enacted under Article 343(3).
1313. Which of the following best captures the relationship between the 'Annual Programme' issued by the Department of Official Language and the Official Language Rules, 1976?
- A. The Annual Programme has no connection with the Rules
- B. The Annual Programme repeals the Rules each year
- C. The Annual Programme is itself a statutory Rule made under Section 8
- D. The Annual Programme sets specific numerical/percentage targets for compliance with the Rules, supplementing but not substituting the legally binding Rules
Answer: The Annual Programme sets specific numerical/percentage targets for compliance with the Rules, supplementing but not substituting the legally binding Rules
Explanation: The Annual Programme is an administrative instrument issued by the Department of Official Language setting measurable targets (e.g., percentage of correspondence, noting and drafting to be done in Hindi) to operationalise compliance with the Official Language Rules, 1976, without itself being a statutory rule.
1314. Which of the following correctly states the composition requirement for the Committee of Parliament on Official Language as originally constituted under Section 4 of the Official Languages Act, 1963?
- A. 15 members, all nominated by the President
- B. 50 members, elected by State Legislatures
- C. 30 members — 20 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha, elected respectively by the members of the two Houses
- D. 10 members, all from the Lok Sabha only
Answer: 30 members — 20 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha, elected respectively by the members of the two Houses
Explanation: Section 4 of the Official Languages Act, 1963 constitutes the Committee of Parliament on Official Language with 30 members — 20 from the Lok Sabha elected by its members and 10 from the Rajya Sabha elected by its members — to review the progress of use of Hindi.
1315. Which of the following best describes the status of Hindi under Article 343 vis-à-vis the term 'national language' of India?
- A. The Constitution explicitly declares Hindi the sole 'national language' of India
- B. The Constitution declares Sanskrit the 'national language'
- C. The Constitution designates Hindi as the 'official language' of the Union; it does not use or confer the status of 'national language' anywhere
- D. The Constitution leaves the term undefined but lists Hindi as a 'national language' in Article 29
Answer: The Constitution designates Hindi as the 'official language' of the Union; it does not use or confer the status of 'national language' anywhere
Explanation: The Constitution nowhere uses the term 'national language' (rashtrabhasha); Article 343 only designates Hindi in Devanagari script as the 'official language' of the Union, a frequently tested distinction in Rajbhasa examinations.
1316. Under the Official Language Rules, 1976, the term 'Central Government office' as used throughout the Rules is understood to include which of the following?
- A. Any Ministry, Department, Commission, Office, Corporation or Company owned or controlled by the Central Government
- B. Only Ministries located in New Delhi
- C. Only private sector banks
- D. Only State Government secretariats
Answer: Any Ministry, Department, Commission, Office, Corporation or Company owned or controlled by the Central Government
Explanation: 'Central Government office' under the Rules is broadly construed to cover Ministries, Departments, Commissions, attached/subordinate offices, and corporations/companies owned or controlled by the Central Government, which brings Railway establishments squarely within its scope.
1317. Which of the following statements about the legal effect of inclusion of a language in the Eighth Schedule is correct?
- A. It automatically grants the language the status of a 'classical language'
- B. It entitles the language's speakers to a separate state
- C. It does not automatically make that language an official language of the Union; it mainly entitles the language to representation on the Official Language Commission and enrichment efforts
- D. It automatically makes the language a second official language of the Union alongside Hindi
Answer: It does not automatically make that language an official language of the Union; it mainly entitles the language to representation on the Official Language Commission and enrichment efforts
Explanation: Inclusion in the Eighth Schedule does not confer official-Union-language status; its chief practical effects are representation of that language on the Official Language Commission (Article 344) and eligibility for enrichment/promotion measures, including UPSC examination options, under Article 351.
1318. The Constitution (92nd Amendment) Act, 2003, which added four languages to the Eighth Schedule, included which of the following pairs?
- A. Nepali and Manipuri
- B. Odia and Assamese
- C. Sindhi and Konkani
- D. Bodo and Maithili
Answer: Bodo and Maithili
Explanation: The 92nd Amendment Act, 2003 added Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali to the Eighth Schedule, raising the total number of scheduled languages from 18 to 22, the current count.
1319. Which of the following Eighth Schedule languages was added to the Constitution along with Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali by the 71st Amendment Act, 1992?
- A. Santhali
- B. None additional — only Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali were added by the 71st Amendment
- C. Bodo
- D. Maithili
Answer: None additional — only Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali were added by the 71st Amendment
Explanation: The Constitution (71st Amendment) Act, 1992 added exactly three languages — Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali — to the Eighth Schedule, taking the total from 15 to 18. Bodo, Maithili, Dogri and Santhali were added later by the 92nd Amendment Act, 2003.
1320. Who administers the oath/pledge-taking ceremonies and monitoring of 'Hindi Pakhwada' observance that culminate around Hindi Diwas in most Central Government offices, including Railway establishments?
- A. The Comptroller and Auditor General
- B. The Election Commission of India
- C. The Reserve Bank of India
- D. The office's own Hindi/Rajbhasa Cell or Official Language Officer, under guidance of the Department of Official Language
Answer: The office's own Hindi/Rajbhasa Cell or Official Language Officer, under guidance of the Department of Official Language
Explanation: Hindi Pakhwada observance, including essay/debate competitions and the Hindi Diwas pledge, is organised and monitored by each office's own Hindi/Rajbhasa Cell or Official Language Officer, following guidelines issued by the Department of Official Language.
1321. Which of the following is the correct sequence of the three Hindi Teaching Scheme examinations, from the most basic to the most advanced?
- A. Praveen, Prabodh, Pragya
- B. Prabodh, Pragya, Praveen
- C. Prabodh, Praveen, Pragya
- D. Pragya, Praveen, Prabodh
Answer: Prabodh, Praveen, Pragya
Explanation: The Hindi Teaching Scheme comprises three successive stages for non-Hindi-knowing Central Government employees: Prabodh (basic reading/writing knowledge), Praveen (working knowledge), and Pragya (proficiency, equivalent to Matriculation standard Hindi).
1322. Under the Official Language Rules, 1976, an office of the Central Government situated in Region 'C' must reply to a communication received in Hindi in which language, as a general rule?
- A. In the regional language of that state only
- B. In Hindi
- C. In French
- D. Compulsorily only in English
Answer: In Hindi
Explanation: Under the Official Language Rules, 1976, if a communication is received in Hindi by any Central Government office (including in Region C), the reply must ordinarily also be given in Hindi, reflecting the policy of responding in the language of the original correspondence.
1323. Which of the following Railway Zones has its headquarters located in a Region 'A' (Hindi-speaking) state?
- A. Southern Railway (Chennai)
- B. South Western Railway (Hubballi)
- C. East Coast Railway (Bhubaneswar)
- D. North Central Railway (Allahabad/Prayagraj)
Answer: North Central Railway (Allahabad/Prayagraj)
Explanation: North Central Railway, headquartered at Prayagraj (Allahabad) in Uttar Pradesh, falls within Region A under the Official Language Rules, 1976, since Uttar Pradesh is a Hindi-speaking state. The other zones are headquartered in Region C states.
1324. The Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT), which coordinates the development of standardised Hindi technical and scientific terms, operates under which Ministry/Department?
- A. Ministry of Education (Department of Higher Education)
- B. Ministry of Culture
- C. Ministry of Science and Technology
- D. Ministry of Home Affairs
Answer: Ministry of Education (Department of Higher Education)
Explanation: The Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT) functions under the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, and is tasked with evolving and standardising Hindi equivalents for scientific and technical terms, distinct from the Department of Official Language under the Home Ministry.
1325. The Central Translation Bureau (Kendriya Anuvad Bureau), which undertakes translation of Central Government manuals, codes and reference literature into Hindi, functions under which authority?
- A. Sahitya Akademi
- B. Publications Division, Ministry of I&B
- C. Ministry of Education
- D. Department of Official Language, Ministry of Home Affairs
Answer: Department of Official Language, Ministry of Home Affairs
Explanation: The Central Translation Bureau functions as a wing of the Department of Official Language, Ministry of Home Affairs, and is responsible for translating codes, manuals and reference material of Central Government offices into Hindi.
1326. Which Central Hindi Training Institute (Kendriya Hindi Prashikshan Sansthan) campus, located in the national capital, is the headquarters for conducting the Prabodh-Praveen-Pragya correspondence courses across the country?
- A. New Delhi
- B. Guwahati
- C. Pune
- D. Bengaluru
Answer: New Delhi
Explanation: The Central Hindi Training Institute (CHTI), with its headquarters in New Delhi and regional centres elsewhere, is the nodal institute under the Department of Official Language for conducting Prabodh, Praveen and Pragya courses for Central Government employees.
1327. Which of the following states is correctly classified under 'Region B' of the Official Language Rules, 1976?
- A. Gujarat
- B. Assam
- C. Tamil Nadu
- D. Odisha
Answer: Gujarat
Explanation: Region B under the Official Language Rules, 1976 comprises Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Odisha and Assam fall under Region C, while Tamil Nadu also falls under Region C.
1328. Which of the following is NOT one of the states/UTs classified under 'Region C' as per the Official Language Rules, 1976?
- A. Karnataka
- B. Kerala
- C. Delhi
- D. Tamil Nadu
Answer: Delhi
Explanation: Delhi is classified under Region A (being an area where Hindi is predominantly spoken/understood as per the Rules' classification), not Region C. Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka are classified under Region C.
1329. After the Committee of Parliament on Official Language's reports are laid before Parliament and considered by the President, what is the next constitutionally prescribed step under Article 344(6)?
- A. Parliament must pass a constitutional amendment
- B. The matter is referred back to the Supreme Court for adjudication
- C. The President may issue directions in accordance with the whole or any part of the report
- D. The report is automatically implemented without further action
Answer: The President may issue directions in accordance with the whole or any part of the report
Explanation: Under Article 344(6), after considering the Committee's report, the President may issue directions in accordance with the whole or any part of that report — these Presidential Orders then form the binding framework for official language implementation across Union offices, including Railways.
1330. The Department of Official Language issues an 'Annual Programme' each year primarily to:
- A. Fix railway fares
- B. Set quantifiable targets for Union Government offices (including Railways) regarding correspondence, noting/drafting and training in Hindi, against which annual performance is assessed
- C. Fix the Union Budget allocation for all ministries
- D. Announce national holidays
Answer: Set quantifiable targets for Union Government offices (including Railways) regarding correspondence, noting/drafting and training in Hindi, against which annual performance is assessed
Explanation: The Annual Programme, issued by the Department of Official Language, sets specific quantifiable targets (e.g., percentage of correspondence/noting in Hindi, number of employees to be trained) for Union Government offices and undertakings, forming the benchmark against which annual inspections assess compliance.
1331. Annual Rajbhasa inspections of Railway establishments, conducted both internally and by the Department of Official Language, primarily assess compliance with which aspects?
- A. Progress in bilingual correspondence/noting-drafting in Hindi, achievement of the Annual Programme's targets, signage, and staff training levels under the Hindi Teaching Scheme
- B. Punctuality of train services
- C. Only financial audit compliance
- D. Track maintenance standards
Answer: Progress in bilingual correspondence/noting-drafting in Hindi, achievement of the Annual Programme's targets, signage, and staff training levels under the Hindi Teaching Scheme
Explanation: Rajbhasa inspections assess compliance with official language requirements: the proportion of correspondence/noting-drafting done in Hindi, achievement against the Annual Programme targets set by the Department of Official Language, bilingual signage, and the coverage of staff trained under the Hindi Teaching Scheme.
1332. The 'Rajbhasa Gaurav Puraskar' and 'Rajbhasa Kirti Puraskar' schemes of the Department of Official Language primarily recognise which category of achievement?
- A. Highest attendance in Hindi Pakhwada functions only
- B. Best cricket team performance among government departments
- C. Best original book-writing in Hindi on technical/scientific subjects by Central Government employees and non-officials, and outstanding departmental implementation of the official language policy respectively
- D. Fastest file disposal regardless of language
Answer: Best original book-writing in Hindi on technical/scientific subjects by Central Government employees and non-officials, and outstanding departmental implementation of the official language policy respectively
Explanation: The Rajbhasa Gaurav Puraskar scheme recognises outstanding original book-writing in Hindi on technical/scientific/administrative subjects, while the Rajbhasa Kirti Puraskar recognises outstanding performance by Ministries/Departments/Offices/Undertakings in implementing the official language policy.
1333. The cash award scheme for Central Government employees doing original noting and drafting in Hindi is primarily intended to incentivise which category of work?
- A. Original (not merely translated) noting and drafting of official files/correspondence directly in Hindi by officials whose work is normally in English
- B. Proofreading of Hindi textbooks
- C. Translation work only, not original drafting
- D. Typing speed in Hindi shorthand
Answer: Original (not merely translated) noting and drafting of official files/correspondence directly in Hindi by officials whose work is normally in English
Explanation: The incentive scheme specifically rewards original noting and drafting in Hindi — i.e., officials composing their official notes/drafts directly in Hindi rather than in English and having them translated — thereby encouraging genuine, habitual use of Hindi in day-to-day office work.
1334. Which institute, functioning under the Department of Official Language, is the principal nodal body for conducting Prabodh, Praveen and Pragya examinations and correspondence courses nationwide?
- A. National Translation Mission
- B. Sahitya Akademi
- C. Central Hindi Directorate
- D. Kendriya Hindi Prashikshan Sansthan (Central Hindi Training Institute)
Answer: Kendriya Hindi Prashikshan Sansthan (Central Hindi Training Institute)
Explanation: The Kendriya Hindi Prashikshan Sansthan (Central Hindi Training Institute), under the Department of Official Language, is the nodal institute responsible for conducting the Hindi Teaching Scheme's Prabodh, Praveen and Pragya correspondence courses and examinations across the country through its regional centres.
1335. Under the Hindi Teaching Scheme, the three successive stages/courses through which a non-Hindi-knowing Central Government employee progresses are:
- A. Primary, Middle, Advanced
- B. Prabodh, Praveen, Pragya
- C. Basic, Intermediate, Proficient
- D. Shiksha, Prashikshan, Pariksha
Answer: Prabodh, Praveen, Pragya
Explanation: The Hindi Teaching Scheme administers three successive courses — Prabodh (basic working knowledge), Praveen (higher working knowledge), and Pragya (proficiency equivalent to Matriculation standard Hindi) — through correspondence courses and classes conducted by designated Hindi Teaching Institutes.
1336. The Official Language Resolution, 1968 also resolved on an 'all-India' recruitment language policy. What did it specifically resolve regarding the language(s) for All India Services examinations?
- A. Examinations would be conducted only in the candidate's regional language
- B. Examinations would be conducted only in English permanently
- C. Examinations would be conducted only in Hindi
- D. Union Public Service Commission examinations would be held in Hindi and English, and in due course in other languages included in the Eighth Schedule, as may be prescribed
Answer: Union Public Service Commission examinations would be held in Hindi and English, and in due course in other languages included in the Eighth Schedule, as may be prescribed
Explanation: The 1968 Resolution provided that examinations for recruitment to All India and Central Services would be held in Hindi and English, and in due course, as may be found feasible, in other languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution.
1337. The Official Language Resolution, 1968, passed by both Houses of Parliament, reaffirmed the policy on the pace of Hindi's progressive use while explicitly guaranteeing the continuance of which language alongside it?
- A. English, for as long as non-Hindi-speaking people desire
- B. Persian
- C. Urdu
- D. Sanskrit
Answer: English, for as long as non-Hindi-speaking people desire
Explanation: The Official Language Resolution, 1968 reaffirmed the goal of progressive use of Hindi while assuring that English would continue to be used in addition to Hindi for as long as people speaking languages other than Hindi desired, thereby seeking to allay fears generated by the 1965 agitation.
1338. The Official Languages (Amendment) Act, 1967 inserted Section 3(3) and introduced a crucial procedural safeguard before English could ever be discontinued for the purposes listed in that sub-section. What was that safeguard?
- A. English could be discontinued only after a resolution to that effect has been passed by the Legislature of every State which has not adopted Hindi as its official language, and by each House of Parliament
- B. The President could discontinue English unilaterally by executive order
- C. A resolution to that effect must be passed by every State Legislature
- D. The Supreme Court must issue a writ of mandamus
Answer: English could be discontinued only after a resolution to that effect has been passed by the Legislature of every State which has not adopted Hindi as its official language, and by each House of Parliament
Explanation: The 1967 Amendment provided that the use of English for the purposes mentioned in Section 3 shall continue until a resolution for its discontinuance has been passed by the Legislature of every State which has not adopted Hindi as its official language, and has been passed by each House of Parliament — making the continuance of English effectively indefinite and giving non-Hindi States a veto.
1339. On what date did the Official Languages Act, 1963 come into force, as originally enacted?
- A. 26 January 1950
- B. 1 January 1960
- C. 10 May 1963
- D. 26 January 1965
Answer: 10 May 1963
Explanation: The Official Languages Act, 1963 received the assent of the President and came into force on 10 May 1963, well before the expiry of the fifteen-year transitional period under Article 343(2) which ended on 25 January 1965.
1340. Section 1 of the Official Languages Act, 1963 provides that the Act extends to which territory?
- A. Only to the Hindi-speaking States
- B. Only Union Territories
- C. Only to Central Government offices located in Delhi
- D. The whole of India
Answer: The whole of India
Explanation: Section 1 of the Official Languages Act, 1963 provides the short title and states that the Act extends to the whole of India.
1341. Section 7 of the Official Languages Act, 1963 deals with which subject?
- A. Optional use of Hindi, in addition to the English language, for certain purposes specified by notification
- B. Definitions used in the Act
- C. Extent and application of the Act to Jammu and Kashmir
- D. Composition of the Official Language Commission
Answer: Optional use of Hindi, in addition to the English language, for certain purposes specified by notification
Explanation: Section 7 of the Official Languages Act, 1963 provides that the use of Hindi, in addition to English, may be authorised by notification for specified official purposes of the Union, such as judgments, decrees, or orders passed by High Courts.
1342. Rules made under Section 8 of the Official Languages Act, 1963 must be laid before Parliament under which type of Parliamentary control mechanism?
- A. Negative laying procedure — laid as soon as may be after being made, subject to modification/annulment by both Houses
- B. No laying requirement at all
- C. Simple laying on the table with no further requirement
- D. Affirmative resolution procedure requiring prior approval before coming into force
Answer: Negative laying procedure — laid as soon as may be after being made, subject to modification/annulment by both Houses
Explanation: Rules made under Section 8 are subject to the standard 'negative' laying procedure: they are laid before each House of Parliament as soon as may be after being made, and are subject to such modifications or annulment as both Houses may agree upon during the session or successive sessions as prescribed.
1343. The Official Language Rules, 1976 were framed by the Central Government in exercise of the rule-making power conferred under which Section of the Official Languages Act, 1963?
- A. Section 3
- B. Section 7
- C. Section 4
- D. Section 8
Answer: Section 8
Explanation: Section 8 of the Official Languages Act, 1963 empowers the Central Government to make rules for carrying out the purposes of the Act, and it was under this power that the Official Language Rules, 1976 were framed.
1344. Section 3(3) of the Official Languages Act, 1963, as strengthened by the 1967 Amendment, mandates compulsory bilingual (Hindi and English) issuance of which category of documents?
- A. Only Supreme Court judgments
- B. Resolutions, general orders, rules, notifications, administrative/other reports, press communiques, and certain contracts/agreements/licences/permits/tender notices/forms specified therein
- C. Only Parliamentary Bills
- D. Only internal office memos
Answer: Resolutions, general orders, rules, notifications, administrative/other reports, press communiques, and certain contracts/agreements/licences/permits/tender notices/forms specified therein
Explanation: Section 3(3) of the Official Languages Act, 1963 mandates that resolutions, general orders, rules, notifications, administrative and other reports, press communiques, and specified contracts, agreements, licences, permits, tender notices and forms shall be issued in both Hindi and English.
1345. Which Chapter of Part XVII of the Constitution is titled 'Special Directives' and comprises Articles 350, 350A, 350B and 351?
- A. Chapter I
- B. Chapter II
- C. Chapter IV
- D. Chapter III
Answer: Chapter IV
Explanation: Chapter IV, titled 'Special Directives', is the final chapter of Part XVII and comprises Articles 350, 350A, 350B and 351, dealing with grievance redress, linguistic minority education facilities, the Special Officer, and the promotion of Hindi respectively.
1346. Chapter II of Part XVII of the Constitution, titled 'Regional Languages', comprises which Articles?
- A. Articles 350, 350A, 350B and 351
- B. Articles 345, 346 and 347
- C. Articles 348 and 349
- D. Articles 343 and 344
Answer: Articles 345, 346 and 347
Explanation: Chapter II, 'Regional Languages', comprises Articles 345 (official language of a State), 346 (official language for communication between States, or between a State and the Union) and 347 (special provision for a language spoken by a section of a State's population).
1347. Which Article directs the Union to promote the spread of the Hindi language and to develop it so that it may serve as a medium of expression for all elements of the composite culture of India, while drawing primarily on which sources for its vocabulary?
- A. Article 351; primarily Sanskrit and secondarily other languages specified in the Eighth Schedule
- B. Article 348; only regional languages
- C. Article 344; only English
- D. Article 350; only Persian and Arabic
Answer: Article 351; primarily Sanskrit and secondarily other languages specified in the Eighth Schedule
Explanation: Article 351 directs the Union to promote the spread of Hindi and to develop it so that it may serve as a medium of expression for all elements of the composite culture of India, by drawing, wherever necessary or desirable, primarily on Sanskrit and secondarily on other languages.
1348. The Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities appointed under Article 350B is required to submit reports on the working of the safeguards for linguistic minorities to whom?
- A. To the Supreme Court Registrar
- B. To the President, who causes them to be laid before each House of Parliament
- C. To the Chief Election Commissioner
- D. Directly to the Lok Sabha Speaker
Answer: To the President, who causes them to be laid before each House of Parliament
Explanation: Article 350B(2) requires the President to cause all reports of the Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities to be laid before each House of Parliament, and to be sent to the Governments of the States concerned.
1349. Article 350A casts a duty on every State and every local authority within the State to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at which stage of education, for children belonging to linguistic minority groups?
- A. Secondary stage
- B. Higher secondary stage
- C. Primary stage
- D. Only at the pre-primary (anganwadi) stage
Answer: Primary stage
Explanation: Article 350A requires the State and local authorities to endeavour to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to linguistic minority groups, and the President may issue directions as he considers necessary.
1350. Under Article 350, every person is entitled to submit a representation for the redress of grievances to any officer or authority of the Union or a State in which language?
- A. Only English
- B. Only the official language of that particular State
- C. Only Hindi
- D. Any of the languages used in the Union or in the State, as the case may be
Answer: Any of the languages used in the Union or in the State, as the case may be
Explanation: Article 350 provides that every person shall be entitled to submit a representation for the redress of any grievance to any officer or authority of the Union or a State in any of the languages used in the Union or in the State, as the case may be.
1351. Article 349 imposed a special procedural requirement on Bills or amendments relating to language for an initial period after the Constitution's commencement. What was that requirement?
- A. Such a Bill could be introduced only with the previous sanction of the President, and the President had to give due consideration to the Official Language Commission's or Parliamentary Committee's recommendations before sanctioning
- B. A two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha alone was required
- C. The Supreme Court had to certify the Bill as constitutional in advance
- D. State Legislature ratification was mandatory
Answer: Such a Bill could be introduced only with the previous sanction of the President, and the President had to give due consideration to the Official Language Commission's or Parliamentary Committee's recommendations before sanctioning
Explanation: Article 349 provided that during the fifteen-year period referred to in Article 343, no Bill or amendment making provision for the language to be used for any of the purposes mentioned in Article 348(1) could be introduced or moved in either House of Parliament without the previous sanction of the President, who was to give due consideration to the recommendations of the Official Language Commission/Parliamentary Committee.
1352. Which authority may authorise the use of Hindi, in addition to English, in proceedings of a High Court under the proviso to Article 348(2)?
- A. The Chief Justice of India acting alone
- B. Parliament by a two-thirds majority
- C. The Governor of the State, with the previous consent of the President
- D. The State Legislature by ordinary law
Answer: The Governor of the State, with the previous consent of the President
Explanation: Under Article 348(2), the Governor of a State may, with the previous consent of the President, authorise the use of Hindi, or any other language used for official purposes of the State, in proceedings of the High Court having its principal seat in that State — subject to the proviso that judgments, decrees and orders remain in English.
1353. Under Article 348(1)(a), proceedings in the Supreme Court and in every High Court shall be conducted in which language, until Parliament by law otherwise provides?
- A. The regional language of the State
- B. Hindi
- C. Sanskrit
- D. English
Answer: English
Explanation: Article 348(1)(a) provides that, until Parliament by law otherwise provides, all proceedings in the Supreme Court and in every High Court shall be in the English Language.
1354. Which Article of the Constitution of India is titled 'Special provision relating to language spoken by a section of the population of a State'?
- A. Article 345
- B. Article 350A
- C. Article 347
- D. Article 29
Answer: Article 347
Explanation: Article 347 is titled 'Special provision relating to language spoken by a section of the population of a State' and empowers the President, on a demand being made, to direct that such a language shall also be officially recognised by the State.
1355. Which Article of the Constitution empowers Parliament to provide by law for the use of English, or the Devanagari form of numerals, for specified purposes even after the expiry of the fifteen-year period mentioned in Article 343(2)?
- A. Article 348(2)
- B. Article 351
- C. Article 344(6)
- D. Article 343(3)
Answer: Article 343(3)
Explanation: Article 343(3) empowers Parliament to provide by law for the continued use of English, or the Devanagari form of numerals, for such purposes as may be specified in the law, notwithstanding the expiry of the fifteen-year period specified in Article 343(2). This power was exercised through the Official Languages Act, 1963.
1356. Under Article 343(2), English continued to be used for all official purposes of the Union for how many years from the commencement of the Constitution, unless Parliament provided otherwise by law?
- A. Five years
- B. Twenty-five years
- C. Ten years
- D. Fifteen years
Answer: Fifteen years
Explanation: Article 343(2) provided that for a period of fifteen years from the commencement of the Constitution (i.e., from 26 January 1950), English would continue to be used for all official purposes for which it was being used immediately before commencement.
1357. Section 2 of the Official Languages Act, 1963 is the definitions section. Which term is NOT defined therein?
- A. 'Appointed day'
- B. 'State'
- C. 'Three Language Formula'
- D. 'Union'
Answer: 'Three Language Formula'
Explanation: The 'Three Language Formula' is a policy device evolved separately through education policy resolutions (and endorsed by the Committee of Parliament on Official Language), not a term statutorily defined in Section 2 of the Official Languages Act, 1963, which defines terms like 'appointed day', 'Union', and 'State'.
1358. On what date did the Official Languages Act, 1963 come into force?
- A. 14 September 1949
- B. 26 January 1965
- C. 26 January 1950
- D. 10 May 1963
Answer: 10 May 1963
Explanation: The Official Languages Act, 1963 received Presidential assent and came into force on 10 May 1963, enacted under the authority of Article 343(3) to regulate use of English and Hindi for official purposes.
1359. Which Section of the Official Languages Act, 1963 is the short title and commencement clause?
- A. Section 2
- B. Section 9
- C. Section 1
- D. Section 10
Answer: Section 1
Explanation: Section 1 of the Official Languages Act, 1963 provides the short title ('The Official Languages Act, 1963') and specifies its extent and commencement, which was notified to come into force on 10 May 1963.
1360. Under Section 7 of the Official Languages Act, 1963, the use of Hindi in addition to English may be authorised for what purpose?
- A. Hindi usage in courts is entirely prohibited by Section 7
- B. Hindi becomes mandatory for all international treaties
- C. Judgments, decrees or orders passed by High Courts (in States that have adopted Hindi as official language) may optionally also be issued with a Hindi translation, with the English text remaining authoritative
- D. Hindi may replace English entirely in all Supreme Court judgments
Answer: Judgments, decrees or orders passed by High Courts (in States that have adopted Hindi as official language) may optionally also be issued with a Hindi translation, with the English text remaining authoritative
Explanation: Section 7 of the Act permits optional use of Hindi, in addition to English, for judgments, decrees, or orders of High Courts in States that have adopted Hindi as their official language, while the English text continues to be the authoritative version under Article 348.
IUC AcademyHome