Question 1

Which article of the Indian Constitution specifies Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union?

Accepted Answer

Article 343. Article 343(1) declares Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union. This constitutional provision ensures a uniform medium for official communication at the central level. It also originally allowed for the continued use of English for fifteen years.

Question 2

How many languages are currently listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

22. The Eighth Schedule currently recognizes 22 languages as official languages. This list was expanded through various amendments, starting with 14 languages in 1950. Languages like Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali were added in the most recent major update.

Question 3

Which of the following was the first language to be granted the status of a 'Classical Language' in India?

Accepted Answer

Tamil. Tamil was the first language in India to be officially declared a Classical Language in 2004. To achieve this status, a language must have a recorded history of over 1,500 years. This recognition highlights the unique antiquity and independent literary tradition of Tamil.

Question 4

The official language of the state of Nagaland is?

Accepted Answer

English. English is designated as the official language of Nagaland for administrative purposes. This choice helps bridge the communication gap between the various indigenous tribes of the state. Most educational institutions in the state also use English as the medium of instruction.

Question 5

Which script is used for writing the Punjabi language in India?

Accepted Answer

Gurmukhi. Gurmukhi is the standard script used for writing Punjabi in India, developed by the Sikh Gurus. In Pakistan, the Punjabi language is primarily written using the Shahmukhi script. Gurmukhi literally translates to 'from the mouth of the Guru'.

Languages — Set 1