Parliament Question: Use of local language in High Courts

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3158 ANSWERED ON – 19/03/2026 USE OF LOCAL LANGUAGE IN HIGH COURTS 3158 # SHRI GOVINDBHAI LALJIBHAI DHOLAKIA: Will the Minister of Law and Justice be pleased to state: (a) whether Hindi is permitted for arguments and delivery of judgments in High Courts of several Hindi-speaking States; and (b) whether proposals from several States, including Gujarat, regarding use of local official language in High Courts are under consideration for approval? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL) (a): The use of Hindi is permitted in the proceedings of the High Courts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar. However, under the provisions of the Official Languages Act, 1963, any judgment, decree, or order delivered in a language other than English must be accompanied by an authorized English translation issued under the authority of the respective High Court. (b): Government of India had received proposals from the Government of Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Karnataka to permit use of Tamil, Gujarati, Hindi, Bengali and Kannada in the proceedings of the Madras High Court, Gujarat High Court, Chhattisgarh High Court, Calcutta High Court and Karnataka High Court respectively. As per the decision of the Cabinet Committee dated 21 May 1965, the consent of the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India is required for any proposal relating to the use of a language other than English in High Courts. Accordingly, the advice of Chief Justice of India was sought on these proposals and it was 1intimated that the Full Court of the Supreme Court after due deliberations, decided not to accept the proposals. A similar proposal received from the State government of Jharkhand regarding authorization of use of Hindi in the proceedings of Jharkhand High Court has been sent to the Chief Justice of India. **** 2