What is Article 343?

Article 343 of the Indian Constitution deals with the official language of the Indian Republic. It specifically addresses the language that shall be used for communication between the Union and the states, as well as for official purposes of the Union.

Here’s a breakdown of Article 343 with headings:

Article 343: Official Language of the Republic of India

Introduction: Article 343 is a provision within the Indian Constitution that outlines the official language of the Indian Republic and its usage for communication and official purposes.

Official Language:

1. The official language of the Indian Republic shall be Hindi in the Devanagari script.
2. Hindi, written in the Devanagari script, is designated as the language for official use of the central government.

Use of English:

1. The use of the English language for official purposes of the Union shall continue.
2. This provision ensures that English remains a supplementary official language alongside Hindi.

Transition Period:

1. For a period of fifteen years from the commencement of the Constitution, the English language shall be used for all the official purposes of the Union.
2. During this transitional period, the transition from English to Hindi as the sole official language is facilitated.

Exceptions:

1. The President may, by order, allow the use of the English language for communication between the Union and a state, or between one state and another.
2. This provision addresses situations where states have languages other than Hindi as a primary mode of communication.

State Legislatures:

1. The legislature of a state may, by law, adopt any one or more of the languages in use in the state or Hindi as the official language(s) of that state.
2. This allows states to choose languages other than Hindi as their official languages based on their linguistic preferences.

Conclusion: Article 343 establishes Hindi in the Devanagari script as the official language of the Indian Republic for central government communication. It also acknowledges the continued use of the English language for official purposes during a transition period. The article seeks to strike a balance between promoting Hindi and recognizing linguistic diversity across the country.

Please note that while the headings provide a structured overview of Article 343, it’s always advisable to refer to the original Indian Constitution or legal resources for a comprehensive understanding and precise details.