Lok Sabha Question No. 3653 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-13
Subject: Use of Official and Regional Languages in Courts
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Shri Utkarsh Verma Madhur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3653 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 13 th  MARCH, 2026

## USE OF OFFICIAL AND REGIONAL LANGUAGES IN COURTS

## †3653. SHRI UTKARSH VERMA MADHUR:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the scheme by the Government for the use of the Official language and regional languages in all courts across the country;
- (b) whether any steps have been taken to provide affordable and accessible justice to the citizens of the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether there is any scheme to provide speedy justice and assistance to the citizens, particularly the poor, labourers and other vulnerable sections in the country, if so, the details thereof?

## 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): Article 348(1)(a) of the Constitution of India states that all proceedings in the Supreme Court and in every High Court, shall be in English language.  Clause (2) of the Article 348 of the  Constitution  states  that  notwithstanding  anything  in  sub-clause  (a)  of  clause  (1),  the Governor of a State may, with the previous consent of the President, authorize the use of Hindi Language, or any other language used for any official purposes of the State, in proceedings in the High Court having its principal seat in that State.

The Cabinet Committee's decision dated 21.05.1965 has stipulated that consent of the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India be obtained on any proposal relating to use of a language other than English in the High Court.

The use of Hindi in the proceedings of High Court of Rajasthan was authorized under clause (2) of Article 348 of the constitution in 1950.  After the Cabinet Committee's decision dated 21.05.1965 as mentioned above, the use of Hindi was authorized in the High Courts of Uttar Pradesh (1969), Madhya Pradesh (1971) and Bihar (1972) in consultation with the Chief Justice of India.

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.    The  advice  of  Chief Justice of India was sought on these proposals and it was intimated that the Full Court of the Supreme Court after due deliberations, decided not to accept the proposals.

Under  Article  235  of  the  Constitution  of  India,  administrative  control  over  District  and Subordinate Courts is vested in the respective High Courts. Accordingly, the use of Hindi or any regional language in District and Subordinate Courts is generally decided by the concerned High Court and the State Government in consultation with each other and implemented within their jurisdiction.

(b) and (c): Government  is  implementing  different  scheme  for  ensuring  affordable  and accessible justice to the citizen. The Scheme of 'Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA )' aims to strengthen the access to justice for all citizens , in alignment with the provisions of the Legal Services Authorities (LSA) Act, 1987.

Under  the  component  Tele-Law,  citizens  are  connected  with  panel  lawyers  to  obtain  prelitigation legal advice through video or tele-conferencing using a network of about 2.50 lakh Common Service Centres (CSCs) operating at the Gram Panchayat level across 777 districts , including 112 Aspirational Districts and 500 Aspirational Blocks , in 36 States/UTs . As on 28.02.2026 , more  than  1.12  crore  pre-litigation  advices have  been  provided  under  the programme.

Through  the  component  of  Nyaya  Bandhu,  a  pro  bono  culture  is  being  promoted  among advocates,  law  students.  Under  this  programme,  pro  bono  Advocates  provides  free  legal assistance and representation in the courts to the eligible beneficiaries under Section 12 of the LSA  Act,  1987 . As  on  28.02.2026 , 10,263  advocates  have  been  registered  under  the programme.

The Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Programme promotes partnerships with Ministries, Departments, institutions and schools for capacity building of grassroots legal workers and dissemination  of  legal  awareness/literacy.  As  on  28.02.2026 , the  programme  has  reached 1,21,48,172  beneficiaries . Further,  the  Government  is  also  implementing  the  Legal  Aid Defense Counsel System (LADCS), a Central Sector Scheme through NALSA since FY 202324 to provide legal representation in criminal cases to beneficiaries eligible under Section 12 of the LSA Act, 1987 . As on 31.12.2025 , LADC offices are functional in 680 districts across the  country.  Under  the  scheme,  8,71,581  cases  have  been  disposed  of  against  12,62,857 assigned  cases , and  2,76,476  Under-Trial  Prisoners  (UTPs ) have  been  provided  legal representation, resulting in the release of 59,630 UTPs during FY 2025-26 ( upto December 2025).

In  addition  to  these  Scheme,  National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 provides free and competent legal services to weaker sections of  society.  Legal  Services  Institutions  have  been  established  from  the  Taluk  level  to  the Supreme Court , including the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC) , 38 High Court  Legal  Services  Committees , 37  State  Legal  Services  Authorities , 715  District  Legal Services Authorities and 2,475 Taluk Legal Services Committees . Their activities include legal aid and advice, legal awareness programmes, legal services clinics, legal literacy clubs, Lok Adalats and implementation of the Victim Compensation Scheme .

During FY 2025-26 (upto January 2026) , 16,60,249 persons have been provided free legal aid and advice, and 4,91,990 legal awareness programmes/camps have been organized, attended by 4,04,59,246 persons .

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