The Constitution of India
Official language of the Union
- Jurisdiction
- India
- Provision
- 343
- Source language
- eng+tel
- Recorded status
- in force
More details
- Recorded status
- in force
Provision text
Official sourcein Devanagari script.
The form of numerals to be used for the official purposes of the Union shall be the
international form of Indian numerals.
(2) Notwithstanding anything in clause (1), for a period of fifteen years from the
commencement of this Constitution, the English language shall continue to be used for all
the official purposes of the Union for which it was being used immediately before such
commencement:
Provided that the President may, during the said period, by order1 authorise the use of
the Hindi language in addition to the English language and of the Devanagari form of
numerals in addition to the international form of Indian numerals for any of the official
purposes of the Union.
(3) Notwithstanding anything in this article, Parliament may by law provide for the use,
after the said period of fifteen years, of—
(a) the English language, or
(b) the Devanagari form of numerals,
for such purposes as may be specified in the law.
Source record
Source and verification
The Constitution of India · legislative.gov.in · Retrieved 17 August 2026.
Check the upstream source for currency, amendments, and official formatting. The recorded status describes this source version.
Open upstream source