What is Article 210 of Indian Constitution – Defination & Meaning

Article 210: Language to be used in the Legislature (1) Notwithstanding anything in Part XVII, but subject to the provisions of article 348, business in the
📅 Part VI – The States
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Article Number

210

part

Part VI – The States

Status

Active

Bare Acts Text

Article 210: Language to be used in the Legislature

  • (1) Notwithstanding anything in Part XVII, but subject to the provisions of article 348, business in the Legislature of a State shall be transacted in the official language or languages of the State or in Hindi or in English:
  • Provided that the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly or Chairman of the Legislative Council, or person acting as such, as the case may be, may permit any member who cannot adequately express himself in any of the languages aforesaid to address the House in his mother-tongue.
  • (2) Unless the Legislature of the State by law otherwise provides, this article shall, after the expiration of a period of fifteen years from the commencement of this Constitution, have effect as if the words “or in English” were omitted therefrom:
  • Provided that in relation to the Legislatures of the States of Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura this clause shall have effect as if for the words “fifteen years” occurring therein, the words “twenty-five years” were substituted:
  • Provided further that in relation to the Legislatures of the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Goa and Mizoram, this clause shall have effect as if for the words “fifteen years” occurring therein, the words “forty years” were substituted.
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Full Definition & Explanation

Article 210 of the Indian Constitution outlines the language used in the State Legislature. It mandates that business in the Legislature can be conducted in the official language or languages of the State, along with Hindi or English. This ensures that members of the Legislature can communicate effectively in a language they are comfortable with. The inclusion of Hindi and English allows for wider participation, especially in states where these languages are prevalent. An necessary feature of this article is the provision for members who may not be fluent in the official languages. The Speaker or Chairman can allow these members to speak in their mother tongue. This flexibility promotes inclusivity and ensures that all voices are heard, enhancing democratic processes. It acknowledges the multilingual nature of India and encourages participation from diverse linguistic backgrounds. The article also specifies a time frame for the continued use of English in legislative proceedings. After fifteen years from the Constitution’s commencement, English may no longer be used unless stated otherwise by state laws. However, certain states like Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura have an extended period of twenty-five years, while Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, and Mizoram have forty years. This phased approach allows states to gradually shift towards their official languages, reflecting local linguistic preferences and promoting regional languages.

Historical Context

It mandates that business in the Legislature can be conducted in the official language or languages of the State, along with Hindi or English. This ensures that members of the Legislature can communicate effectively in a language they are comfortable with. The inclusion of Hindi and English allows for wider participation, especially in states where these languages are prevalent. An necessary feature of this article is the provision for members who may not be fluent in the official languages. Article 210 of the Indian Constitution outlines the language used in the State Legislature. The Speaker or Chairman can allow these members to speak in their mother tongue.

Key Features

– Legislature business can be conducted in the official state language.
– Members may speak in their mother tongue if needed.
– English can be used for fifteen years after the Constitution’s start.
– Some states have extended periods for using English in legislatures.
– The article promotes inclusivity among diverse linguistic communities.

Importance & Impact

– Promotes effective communication in state legislatures across India
– Encourages participation from members of different linguistic backgrounds
– Supports the use of regional languages in legislative processes
– Facilitates a gradual shift to official languages over time
– Ensures that local dialects are represented in state governance

Sample UPSC Question

Which of the following statements about Article 210 of the Indian Constitution is correct? A) It allows only Hindi in state legislatures. B) Members can speak in their mother tongue if needed. C) English is permanently allowed in all state legislatures. D) Article 210 applies only to Union Territories. Choose the correct option.? Analyze these options carefully in light of the constitutional distribution of legislative and executive powers.

Answer

The correct answer is B. Article 210 permits members who struggle with official languages to speak in their mother tongue. This ensures inclusivity and allows for effective communication in legislative discussions. Article 210 of the Indian Constitution outlines the language used in the State Legislature.

Key Takeaways

✓ Article 210 ensures effective communication in state legislatures.
✓ Members can use their mother tongue when needed.
✓ English usage is time-bound and varies by state.
✓ Promotes inclusivity for diverse linguistic communities
✓ Encourages gradual adoption of local languages in governance.

FAQs

Article 210 of the Indian Constitution outlines the language used in the State Legislature. It mandates that business in the Legislature can be conducted in the official language or languages of the State, along with Hindi or English. This ensures that members of the Legislature can communicate effectively in a language they are comfortable with.

This flexibility promotes inclusivity and ensures that all voices are heard, enhancing democratic processes. It acknowledges the multilingual nature of India and encourages participation from diverse linguistic backgrounds. The article also specifies a time frame for the continued use of English in legislative proceedings. Article 210 of the Indian Constitution outlines the language used in the State Legislature.

After fifteen years from the Constitution’s commencement, English may no longer be used unless stated otherwise by state laws. However, certain states like Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura have an extended period of twenty-five years, while Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, and Mizoram have forty years. This phased approach allows states to gradually shift towards their official languages, reflecting local linguistic preferences and promoting regional languages.

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Pramod is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of StudyHub. He holds a Master's degree and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Geology, alongside more than 7+ years spent building and verifying competitive exam content for Indian aspirants. He leads StudyHub's editorial process across Indian Polity, the Constitution, Indian Economy, History, Geography, Science, and the platform's other subject areas — checking every article against primary sources (bare act text and Gazette notifications for constitutional topics, government and Economic Survey data for economy content, standard reference material elsewhere) and flagging it for re-verification whenever a relevant amendment, policy, or data update makes an earlier version outdated.
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