Official Language MCQ: Article 343 Hindi, Eighth Schedule & Classical Language Status

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Part XVII of the Constitution of India deals with Official Language in which Articles?

   • A.Articles 343 to 351✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Articles 330 to 342
   • C.Articles 352 to 360
   • D.Articles 324 to 329

   Explanation: Part XVII of the Constitution contains provisions for official language in Articles 343 to 351.

2. Q2.According to Article 343, what is the Official Language of the Union?

   • A.Hindi in Devanagari script✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Hindi and English
   • C.English only
   • D.Any language specified in the 8th Schedule

   Explanation: Article 343 states that the official language of the Union shall be Hindi in Devanagari script.

3. Q3.What form of numerals is to be used for the official purposes of the Union?

   • A.Devanagari numerals
   • B.Roman numerals
   • C.International form of Indian numerals✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Numeric form of Sanskrit

   Explanation: The form of numerals to be used for the official purposes of the Union shall be the international form of Indian numerals.

4. Q4.Under Article 344, when was the first Official Language Commission appointed?

   • A.1950
   • B.1955✓ Correct Answer
   • C.1960
   • D.1965

   Explanation: The President appointed the first Official Language Commission in 1955 under the chairmanship of B.G. Kher.

5. Q5.Who was the chairman of the first Official Language Commission?

   • A.G.B. Pant
   • B.S.K. Dhar
   • C.B.G. Kher✓ Correct Answer
   • D.H.N. Kunzru

   Explanation: B.G. Kher was the chairman of the first Official Language Commission appointed in 1955.

6. Q6.How many members are there in the Committee of Parliament on Official Language?

   • A.20
   • B.30✓ Correct Answer
   • C.15
   • D.25

   Explanation: The Committee consists of 30 members (20 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha).

7. Q7.Which amendment added Sindhi as the 15th language in the Eighth Schedule?

   • A.21st Amendment Act, 1967✓ Correct Answer
   • B.71st Amendment Act, 1992
   • C.92nd Amendment Act, 2003
   • D.96th Amendment Act, 2011

   Explanation: Sindhi was added by the 21st Amendment Act of 1967.

8. Q8.Which of the following languages was NOT added by the 71st Amendment Act of 1992?

   • A.Konkani
   • B.Manipuri
   • C.Nepali
   • D.Dogri✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The 71st Amendment Act added Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali. Dogri was added by the 92nd Amendment Act.

9. Q9.Which amendment act added Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali to the Eighth Schedule?

   • A.86th Amendment Act
   • B.91st Amendment Act
   • C.92nd Amendment Act✓ Correct Answer
   • D.96th Amendment Act

   Explanation: The 92nd Amendment Act of 2003 added Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali, raising the total number of languages to 22.

10. Q10.Currently, how many languages are there in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution?

    • A.14
    • B.18
    • C.22✓ Correct Answer
    • D.24

    Explanation: At present, there are 22 languages in the Eighth Schedule.

11. Q11.Which Article provides for the 'Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities'?

    • A.Article 350
    • B.Article 350A
    • C.Article 350B✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Article 351

    Explanation: Article 350B was inserted by the 7th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956 to provide for a Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities.

12. Q12.The Constitution mandates that all proceedings in the Supreme Court shall be in which language?

    • A.Hindi
    • B.English✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Both Hindi and English
    • D.Any language chosen by the Judge

    Explanation: Article 348 states that all proceedings in the Supreme Court shall be in the English language.

13. Q13.Who has the power to authorize the use of Hindi in the proceedings of a High Court?

    • A.President
    • B.Chief Justice of India
    • C.Governor with previous consent of the President✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Chief Justice of the High Court

    Explanation: The Governor of a State may, with the previous consent of the President, authorize the use of Hindi in the proceedings of the High Court of that state.

14. Q14.Which Article directs the state to provide facilities for instruction in the mother-tongue at the primary stage of education?

    • A.Article 350
    • B.Article 350A✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Article 351
    • D.Article 29

    Explanation: Article 350A directs that every State and local authority should endeavor to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother-tongue at the primary stage.

15. Q15.Article 351 lays down the directive for the development of which language?

    • A.Sanskrit
    • B.Hindi✓ Correct Answer
    • C.English
    • D.All regional languages

    Explanation: Article 351 provides a directive for the development and spread of the Hindi language.

16. Q16.For how many years was the English language initially permitted to be used for official purposes from the commencement of the Constitution?

    • A.10 years
    • B.15 years✓ Correct Answer
    • C.20 years
    • D.Indefinitely

    Explanation: The Constitution originally provided for the continued use of English for 15 years (i.e., up to 1965).

17. Q17.Which Act enabled the continued use of English for official purposes indefinitely after 1965?

    • A.Official Language Act, 1963✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Official Language Act, 1967
    • C.Official Language Rules, 1976
    • D.Constitution Amendment Act, 1965

    Explanation: The Official Language Act of 1963 provided for the continued use of English in addition to Hindi for all official purposes of the Union even after 1965.

18. Q18.Which was the first language to be accorded the status of 'Classical Language' in India?

    • A.Sanskrit
    • B.Tamil✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Telugu
    • D.Kannada

    Explanation: Tamil was the first language to be declared as a Classical Language in 2004.

19. Q19.In which year was Sanskrit given the status of a Classical Language?

    • A.2004
    • B.2005✓ Correct Answer
    • C.2008
    • D.2013

    Explanation: Sanskrit was declared a Classical Language in 2005.

20. Q20.A person can submit a representation for the redress of any grievance in which language according to Article 350?

    • A.Only in Hindi
    • B.Only in English
    • C.Any of the languages in 8th Schedule
    • D.Any language used in the Union or in the State✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: According to Article 350, every person is entitled to submit a representation in any of the languages used in the Union or in the State.