Mains issueGS-2Editorials13 October 2026

Official Language of Courts and Linguistic Diversity in Justice Delivery

An aspirant should be able to critically analyze the constitutional provisions governing language in Indian courts, the roles of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches in shaping language policy, and the ongoing efforts to balance the need for a common judicial language with ensuring justice is accessible across India's linguistic diversity.

Source: thehindu.comOriginal report

Understand the issue · 1/2

Why now

A recent Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court (September 2026) seeking Hindi as the official language of the SC has reignited discussions on the constitutional framework and practical challenges of language in the Indian judiciary, making it a pertinent issue for UPSC Mains.

Core issue

The article discusses the constitutional provisions and practical challenges surrounding the official language of courts in India, particularly the Supreme Court. Triggered by a PIL seeking Hindi as the official language of the SC, the Supreme Court clarified that changing the language regime requires a constitutional amendment or parliamentary law under Article 348(1)(a). It highlighted the distinction between the language of proceedings and making judicial work accessible in multiple Indian languages, citing its initiatives like providing brief descriptions in Hindi and the SUVAS AI-based translation tool. The article delves into the roles of Parliament, the President, and State Governors under Article 348(2) and Section 7 of the Official Languages Act, 1963, for High Courts, emphasizing the doctrine of separation of powers and the judiciary's inability to compel legislative action on language policy.

Continue this issue

Turn the issue into an answer.

Unlock the issue map, answer-use material, grounded Mains PYQ connections and writing practice.

Unlock Mains Current Affairs