NEW DELHI: In a major step towards linguistic inclusivity, the Indian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has initiated the translation of the Constitution into all 22 languages recognized in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. This ambitious project, managed by the National Translation Mission and supported by the Ministry of Law and Justice’s Official Languages Wing, aims for completion by March 2025.

Promoting Inclusivity Through Language

The Constitution is currently available in 18 languages, with Maithili and Sanskrit being the latest additions in 2024. These translations reflect the government's commitment to fostering accessibility and inclusiveness for diverse linguistic communities across India.

On November 26, 2024, during the Samvidhan Diwas celebrations held in New Delhi, President Droupadi Murmu introduced the Maithili and Sanskrit translations. This event also marked the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Indian Constitution.

Maithili, predominantly spoken in Bihar, Jharkhand, and parts of Nepal, has joined the growing list of languages in which the Constitution is accessible. This effort enables Maithili speakers to grasp constitutional principles more effectively in their native tongue.

Celebrating 75 Years of the Indian Constitution

The Indian Constitution, the world's longest-written Constitution, was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950. The year 2024 commemorates 75 years of this historic achievement.

Since 2015, November 26 has been celebrated as Samvidhan Diwas or Constitution Day, promoting awareness of constitutional values and their significance among citizens.

Historical Journey of Translation

Initially drafted in English, the Indian Constitution required translation into Hindi to ensure broader accessibility. In response, the Constituent Assembly established a 41-member Translation Committee led by Ghansyam Das Gupta.

It was on January 24, 1950, the translated Hindi-version of the Constitution was submitted to Dr Rajendra Prasad, the Chairman of Constituent Assembly,  Members signed both the English and Hindi versions on the same day, underscoring the importance of linguistic accessibility.

Vision for the Future

The ongoing initiative to expand translations to all 22 scheduled languages is a continuation of this vision. It represents a monumental effort to make the foundational document of Indian democracy accessible to every citizen, regardless of their linguistic background.