Official Language MCQ: Article 348 High Court Judgments, Three-Language Formula & Article 350A

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

1. Q1.Which body is responsible for evolving the terminology and technical terms for Hindi?

   • A.Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT)✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Sahitya Akademi
   • C.National Book Trust
   • D.UPSC

   Explanation: The Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT) was established in 1961 for evolving technical terminology in Hindi.

2. Q2.Which Article allows the Governor of a State to authorize the use of Hindi or any other official language of the State in judgments passed by the High Court?

   • A.Article 348(2)✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Article 348(1)
   • C.Article 349
   • D.Article 350

   Explanation: Article 348(2) empowers the Governor, with the previous consent of the President, to authorize the use of Hindi or any other official language in judgments.

3. Q3.If a High Court delivers a judgment in Hindi (authorized under Art 348), what must necessarily accompany it?

   • A.An English translation✓ Correct Answer
   • B.A certificate from the Governor
   • C.Approval from the Supreme Court
   • D.Nothing is required

   Explanation: Even if Hindi is used for judgments, an English translation of the judgment must be issued to ensure legal consistency and accessibility.

4. Q4.The protection of 'distinct language, script or culture' under Article 29 is available to?

   • A.Religious minorities only
   • B.Linguistic minorities only
   • C.Any section of the citizens residing in India✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Only citizens in North East India

   Explanation: Article 29 grants protection to 'any section of the citizens' residing in the territory of India having a distinct language, script or culture of its own.

5. Q5.Which of the following documents is NOT required to be bilingual under Section 3(3) of the Official Languages Act, 1963?

   • A.Notifications
   • B.Contracts and Agreements
   • C.Personal internal notes on files✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Tender Notices

   Explanation: Section 3(3) applies to public/official documents like notifications, contracts, tenders, etc. Personal internal notes on files are not strictly mandated to be bilingual.

6. Q6.The Eighth Schedule was originally associated with which Article?

   • A.Article 344(1) and 351✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Article 343 and 345
   • C.Article 120 and 210
   • D.Article 368

   Explanation: The Eighth Schedule is referenced in Article 344(1) (regarding the Commission) and Article 351 (regarding enrichment of Hindi).

7. Q7.Which was the first state to adopt Hindi as its sole official language?

   • A.Uttar Pradesh
   • B.Bihar✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Madhya Pradesh
   • D.Rajasthan

   Explanation: Bihar was the first state to adopt Hindi as its sole official language, replacing Urdu, in the late 19th/early 20th century context, and maintained it post-independence.

8. Q8.The 'Three-Language Formula' was recommended by which commission?

   • A.Sarkaria Commission
   • B.Kothari Commission✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Dhar Commission
   • D.Official Language Commission

   Explanation: The Kothari Commission (Education Commission 1964-66) recommended the Three-Language Formula.

9. Q9.Which language is used for the authoritative text of all Orders, Rules, Regulations and Bye-laws issued under the Constitution or Central Acts?

   • A.English✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Hindi
   • C.Both
   • D.Regional Language

   Explanation: According to Article 348(1), the authoritative text of such subordinate legislation shall be in the English language.

10. Q10.Article 348 applies to the High Courts and which other court?

    • A.Supreme Court✓ Correct Answer
    • B.District Court
    • C.Session Court
    • D.Tribunals

    Explanation: Article 348 lays down provisions regarding the language to be used in the Supreme Court and in the High Courts.

11. Q11.Who defines the 'Official Purposes' of the Union for which Hindi is to be used?

    • A.The Constitution
    • B.The President
    • C.The Parliament via Rules/Act✓ Correct Answer
    • D.The Supreme Court

    Explanation: The Parliament, through the Official Languages Act and Rules, specifies the official purposes and the extent of Hindi usage.

12. Q12.In the context of Official Language Rules, 'Region B' includes Union Territories like?

    • A.Delhi and Andaman & Nicobar
    • B.Chandigarh, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Puducherry and Lakshadweep
    • D.Ladakh

    Explanation: Region B includes Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab, and the UTs of Chandigarh, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.

13. Q13.Any language that attains 'Classical' status is eligible for financial assistance for the setting up of?

    • A.University
    • B.Centre of Excellence✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Museum
    • D.Library

    Explanation: A Classical language is eligible for financial assistance for the setting up of a 'Centre of Excellence' for studies in that language.

14. Q14.Under Article 350A, the facility for instruction in mother-tongue is directed towards children belonging to?

    • A.Economic minorities
    • B.Linguistic minority groups✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Religious minorities
    • D.Tribal groups only

    Explanation: Article 350A specifically directs facilities for instruction in mother-tongue for children belonging to linguistic minority groups.

15. Q15.Which of the following years saw the amendment that added 'Sindhi' to the 8th Schedule?

    • A.1965
    • B.1967✓ Correct Answer
    • C.1969
    • D.1971

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

16. Q16.Which of the following is NOT a criterion for Classical Language status?

    • A.High antiquity of early texts
    • B.A body of ancient literature considered valuable heritage
    • C.The literary tradition must be borrowed from another community✓ Correct Answer
    • D.The literary tradition must be original

    Explanation: The criterion states that the literary tradition must be original and NOT borrowed from another speech community.

17. Q17.The President's order of 1960 regarding Official Language was based on the recommendations of?

    • A.First Official Language Commission only
    • B.Committee of Parliament on Official Language (Govind Ballabh Pant Committee)✓ Correct Answer
    • C.The Constituent Assembly
    • D.The Planning Commission

    Explanation: The President issued directions in 1960 after considering the report of the Committee of Parliament on Official Language (chaired by G.B. Pant) which reviewed the First Commission's report.

18. Q18.What is the primary objective of Article 351?

    • A.To promote English
    • B.To define the powers of the Supreme Court
    • C.To promote the spread of the Hindi language✓ Correct Answer
    • D.To protect tribal languages

    Explanation: Article 351 is a 'Directive for development of the Hindi language', urging the Union to promote its spread and development.

19. Q19.The authoritative text of the Constitution in Hindi, published under Article 394-A, shall be deemed to be the text of the Constitution for?

    • A.Educational purposes only
    • B.Legal and official purposes✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Historical records only
    • D.None of the above

    Explanation: It shall be deemed to be the authoritative text for all legal and official purposes, having the same status as the English text.

20. Q20.If a question arises whether a particular language is spoken by a substantial proportion of the population of a State, who decides the criteria/recognition under Art 347?

    • A.The State Legislature
    • B.The Governor
    • C.The President✓ Correct Answer
    • D.The High Court

    Explanation: Article 347 empowers the President to direct that a language be officially recognized if he is satisfied that a substantial proportion of the population desires it.