The Assam Legislative Assembly has decided to introduce Hindi as the fourth official language of the House from the 2026 Budget Session. Hindi will now be used alongside Assamese, English and Bodo, with the objective of facilitating legislative proceedings while continuing to preserve the State’s multilingual character.

About the decision

• The decision was taken by the General Purpose Committee (GPC) of the Assam Legislative Assembly.
• The General Purpose Committee functions under the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and advises on matters relating to the functioning and administration of the House.
• The Assembly logo will now include Hindi in addition to Assamese, English and Bodo.
• The Assembly’s official television channel, ALA TV, has also been renamed Assam Bidhan Sabha TV.

Constitutional and Legal Provisions

• Article 210 of the Constitution provides that the business of a State Legislature may be conducted in the official language(s) of the State, Hindi, or English, subject to the rules of the House.
• Article 345 empowers State Legislatures to adopt one or more languages for official purposes.
• Article 351 directs the Union to promote the development of the Hindi language while enriching it through other Indian languages.
• The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution presently recognises 22 Scheduled Languages, including Assamese, Bodo and Hindi.

Significance

• The decision promotes multilingual legislative functioning while ensuring wider accessibility for members.
• It reflects India’s policy of linguistic diversity and cooperative federalism.
• The State Government has clarified that Bodo will continue as an official language of the Assembly, reaffirming its commitment to protecting the linguistic rights of indigenous communities.
• The move is consistent with the constitutional principle of unity in diversity, where multiple languages coexist within democratic institutions.

Exam Hook: Prelims Question

Consider the following statements:

1. Article 210 of the Constitution permits the use of Hindi, English and the official language(s) of the State in State Legislature proceedings.
2. Article 345 empowers State Legislatures to adopt one or more official languages for the State.
3. Bodo is included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1, 2 and 3
(D) 1 only

Answer: (C)

One-Line Wrap

The introduction of Hindi as the fourth official language in the Assam Legislative Assembly reflects India’s multilingual constitutional framework while continuing to safeguard Assamese, English and Bodo in legislative functioning.