Relevance for UPSC: GS Paper II (Constitution, Governance) | GS Paper I (Society, Tribal Issues)
Source: Ministry of Law and Justice; Press Information Bureau

Context

The Constitution of India has been released in Santhali, written in the Ol Chiki script, by Droupadi Murmu, strengthening constitutional access for Adivasi communities.

Santhali Language: Key Facts

  • Santhali belongs to the Austroasiatic language family (Munda branch).
  • It is primarily spoken across Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar and Assam.
  • It is one of the most widely spoken tribal languages in India.
  • Recognised in the Eighth Schedule in 2003, enabling its use in education, examinations, and official communication.

Why This Step Matters

  • Publishing the Constitution in Santhali ensures direct comprehension of rights and duties in the mother tongue.
  • Strengthens cultural dignity, legal awareness, and democratic participation.
  • Advances the idea that constitutional equality requires linguistic accessibility, not merely formal recognition.
UPSC Value Box

  • Concept: Linguistic inclusion — ensuring access to law and governance in native languages.
  • Language Family: Santhali → Austroasiatic (Munda).
  • Law / Provision: Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.

Q. Santhali language belongs to which language family?
(a) Indo-Aryan
(b) Dravidian
(c) Tibeto-Burman
(d) Austroasiatic

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