Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah, along with members of the Parliamentary Official Language Committee, calls on the Hon’ble President today and presents the Committee's 13th report
The Committee of Parliament on Official Language (COPOL), chaired by Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, submitted its 13th Report to the President of India on 16 February 2026[1].
COPOL is a statutory committee constituted under Section 4 of the Official Languages Act, 1963, mandated to review the progressive use of Hindi for official purposes of the Union [2][3].
For UPSC, this links Polity (Articles 343-351, Eighth Schedule), Governance (federalism in language policy), and current affairs on Rajbhasha implementation.
2. Why in the News
On 16 Feb 2026, Shri Amit Shah, along with members of the Parliamentary Official Language Committee, called on the President and presented the Committee's 13th Report[1].
PIB notes four reports have been submitted to the President in the last six years, framed as an "acceleration" of COPOL's work [1].
3. Background & Evolution
Article 343 of the Constitution declares Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union; English continued for 15 years from 26 Jan 1950 [3].
Article 344(1): President to constitute a Language Commission after 5 years and again after 10 years from commencement (the B.G. Kher Commission, 1955 was the first) [3].
Article 344(4): provides for a Committee of Parliament to examine the Commission's recommendations [3].
Official Languages Act, 1963 (Act 19 of 1963): Section 4 institutionalises a permanent Committee of Parliament on Official Language with 30 members (20 Lok Sabha + 10 Rajya Sabha) elected by proportional representation, to review Hindi progress and report to the President [2][3].
Only 9 reports had been submitted till 2014; subsequent reports (10th, 11th, 12th, 13th) have been submitted at a faster cadence under HM Shah's chairmanship [1].
4. Core Static Facts
Parent Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs → Department of Official Language (Rajbhasha Vibhag), established 1975 (Golden Jubilee in 2025) [4].
Statutory base: Section 4, Official Languages Act, 1963[2].
Reporting authority: President of India, who may then issue directions [2][3].
5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis
Constitutional / Legal: COPOL is the only Parliamentary Committee with statutory base in an enactment plus constitutional sanction via Art. 344(4); reports go to the President, not Parliament [2][3].
Administrative / Governance: Reviews Hindi usage across Union ministries, PSUs, banks; recommendations operationalised through Presidential Orders (e.g., Annual Programme of Department of Official Language) [4].
Federal: Tensions persist with non-Hindi states (especially Tamil Nadu) over perceived Hindi imposition; COPOL recommendations historically (e.g., 11th report's Hindi-as-medium proposal in central institutions in Hindi-belt states) have triggered federal pushback.
Cultural / Social: Modernisation focus — terminology, digital tools, Hindi in technical/scientific domains; Department of Official Language marked 50 years in 2025 [4].
6. Recent Developments (12-18 months)
16 Feb 2026: 13th Report presented to the President by HM Amit Shah and COPOL members [1].
2024 (post-18th Lok Sabha): Amit Shah unanimously re-elected Chairperson of COPOL [5].
2025: Department of Official Language Golden Jubilee Celebration addressed by HM as Chief Guest [4].
Hindi Diwas, 14 September observed annually; HM issued messages [6].
7. Prelims Hooks
COPOL is constituted under Section 4, Official Languages Act, 1963 — not directly under the Constitution [2].
Syllabus headings: "Parliament and State Legislatures—Structure, functioning..."; "Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies".
Question stems:
1. "Discuss the constitutional and statutory framework governing the use of Hindi as the official language of the Union. How has the Committee of Parliament on Official Language influenced this trajectory?"
2. "Examine the federal implications of recommendations made by the Committee of Parliament on Official Language."
3. "Despite constitutional sanction, the promotion of Hindi as the Union's official language remains contested. Comment."
9. Related Topics to Study Next
Eighth Schedule of the Constitution — 22 languages, demands for inclusion (Tulu, Bhojpuri etc.).
Articles 343–351 — comprehensive Part XVII provisions.
Official Languages Act, 1963 & Official Languages Rules, 1976 — operational backbone.
Department of Official Language — Annual Programme, Region A/B/C classification.