Which of the following languages were added to the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution by the 71st Amendment Act?

The correct answer is Manipuri, Konkani, and Nepali.

Key Points

• The 71st Amendment Act of the Indian Constitution was enacted in 1992.
• This amendment added three languages to the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
• The languages included were Manipuri, Konkani, and Nepali.
• The Eighth Schedule lists the official languages recognized by the Indian Constitution.
• With the addition of these three languages, the total number of languages in the Eighth Schedule increased to 18.

Additional Information

• Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution
  • The Eighth Schedule to the Indian Constitution contains a list of 22 scheduled languages.
  • The languages are recognized by the Constitution for their importance and are used for official purposes.
  • Initially, the Eighth Schedule included 14 languages, which has since been expanded through subsequent amendments.
  • The languages listed in the Eighth Schedule are also entitled to representation on the Official Languages Commission.
• Constitutional Amendments
  • Amendments to the Constitution are changes or additions made to the country's founding legal document.
  • The process of amending the Constitution is outlined in Article 368.
  • Amendments can be proposed by either House of Parliament and must be approved by a special majority.
  • Some amendments require ratification by at least half of the state legislatures.
• Official Languages Commission
  • The Official Languages Commission is tasked with investigating the status and development of languages listed in the Eighth Schedule.
  • The commission advises the President of India on the progressive use of Hindi and the improvement of other languages.
  • The commission plays a significant role in language policy and planning in India.
• Language Policy in India
  • India follows a multi-lingual language policy to accommodate its vast linguistic diversity.
  • Hindi and English are the official languages used for administrative purposes by the central government.
  • States have the liberty to choose their own official languages based on regional linguistic preferences.
  • The policy aims to promote linguistic harmony and respect for all languages spoken in the country.