Which, amongst the following, is the latest language to be included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India ?

The correct answer is Maithili.

Key Points

• Maithili is the most recent language to be included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
• It was officially added in the year 2003 through the 92nd Constitutional Amendment Act.
• The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution lists the languages recognized by the Indian government, currently comprising 22 languages.
• Maithili is primarily spoken in the Bihar and Jharkhand states of India, along with parts of Nepal.
• With its inclusion, Maithili gained official recognition and importance, further promoting its preservation and development.

Additional Information

• Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution
  • The Eighth Schedule includes languages recognized by the Constitution of India for official purposes.
  • Initially, it included 14 languages, and subsequent amendments have expanded it to 22 languages.
  • Prominent languages in the Eighth Schedule include Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, and Punjabi.
  • Recognition under the Eighth Schedule promotes the protection and development of the listed languages.
• 92nd Constitutional Amendment Act
  • This amendment, passed in 2003, added four languages to the Eighth Schedule: Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali.
  • The amendment aimed to preserve and promote regional languages and cultures.
  • It reflects the Indian government's commitment to linguistic diversity.
• Importance of Language Inclusion
  • Languages included in the Eighth Schedule are entitled to official recognition and support.
  • Inclusion helps in the development of literature, education, and cultural preservation of the language.
  • It also allows for the use of the language in government communication and competitive exams.
• Linguistic Diversity in India
  • India is known for its linguistic diversity, with over 19,500 mother tongues spoken across the country.
  • The Constitution emphasizes the protection and promotion of this diversity through provisions like the Eighth Schedule.
  • Efforts to preserve minority and regional languages are crucial for maintaining India's cultural heritage.