Write a brief note on the language policy adopted in India.

The ‘Language policy’ was the second test for Indian federation. No language was given the status of national language by our Constitution. Hindi was identified as the official language. But only about 40 per cent of Indians has Hindi as their mother tongue. Therefore, 21 other languages besides Hindi, are recognised as Scheduled Languages by the Constitution. A candidate in an examination conducted for the Central Government positions may opt to take the examination in any of these languages.

States to have their own official languages. Much of the government work takes place in the official language of the concerned State.

The flexibility shown by Indian political leaders helped our country avoid any conflict based on languages.