Post-Independence Language Policy in India
UGC NET Visual Guide
📌 Constitutional Provisions at a Glance
| Article | Provision | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Article 343 | Hindi as official language (Devnagari script) | English to continue for 15 years (until 1965) |
| Article 344 | Official Language Commission | First commission formed in 1955 |
| Article 345 | State legislatures can adopt official language | Basis for linguistic states |
| Article 351 | Directive for Hindi development | To draw vocabulary from other Indian languages |
📜 Historical Timeline
Hindi vs English debate, "Munshi-Ayyangar formula" compromise
First linguistic state after Potti Sriramulu's fast-unto-death
States reorganized primarily on linguistic basis
Continued use of English indefinitely alongside Hindi
Violent protests in Tamil Nadu against Hindi imposition
National Education Policy's language framework
💡 Core Concept: Three Language Formula
The national framework for language learning in schools:
| Language | Northern States | Southern States |
|---|---|---|
| First | Mother tongue/Hindi | Mother tongue/Regional language |
| Second | English | English |
| Third | Modern Indian language (preferably South Indian) | Hindi |
Implementation Challenges: Uneven adoption, preference for English over Hindi in South, neglect of classical languages
🔍 Policy Deep Dive
Context: Response to fears of Hindi imposition as 1965 deadline approached
| Pro-Hindi Position | Anti-Hindi Position |
|---|---|
|
|
"The Official Languages Act was a pragmatic compromise that saved India from linguistic fragmentation."
- Language Policy Scholar
Key Events:
- 1953: Andhra Pradesh formed (first linguistic state)
- 1956: States Reorganization Act implemented
- 1960: Bombay bifurcated into Maharashtra and Gujarat
- 1966: Punjab and Haryana created
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
|
|
🧠 Concept Map: Language Policy Impacts
Key outcomes of post-independence language policies:
🎯 UGC NET Exam Tips
| Question Type | How to Approach | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Fact-based | Remember constitutional articles and years | "Which article deals with official language?" (343) |
| Analytical | Link language policy to national integration | "How did language policy affect federalism?" |
| Comparative | Contrast colonial and post-colonial approaches | "Difference between Macaulay's policy and Three Language Formula" |
📌 Eighth Schedule Languages
Originally 14 languages, now 22 recognized scheduled languages:
- Assamese
- Bengali
- Bodo
- Dogri
- Gujarati
- Hindi
- Kannada
- Kashmiri
- Konkani
- Maithili
- Malayalam
- Manipuri
- Marathi
- Nepali
- Odia
- Punjabi
- Sanskrit
- Santali
- Sindhi
- Tamil
- Telugu
- Urdu
Significance: Languages listed get representation in Official Language Commission and can be used in competitive exams
🔗 Connecting Themes for UGC NET
This topic links to:
- Nation Building - Language as unifying/dividing factor
- Federalism - Linguistic states and center-state relations
- Social Movements - Anti-Hindi agitations, language rights
- Colonial Legacy - Continuation of English in administration
