Which of the following languages is/are NOT included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution?

Question

Which of the following languages is/are NOT included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution?

1. Nepali

2. Dogri

3. Bodo

4. Bhojpuri

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

1. A. 1 and 2
2. B. Only 4 (Correct answer)
3. C. 3 and 4
4. D. Only 1

Correct Answer

Option B — Only 4

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Only 4.

Key Points

• 4. Bhojpuri is NOT in the Eighth Schedule. Despite a very large number of speakers and a long-standing demand for inclusion, Bhojpuri has not been added. Hence option (b).
• 1. Nepali ✓, 2. Dogri ✓ and 3. Bodo ✓ are all included.
• Nepali was added by the 71st Amendment, 1992; Dogri and Bodo by the 92nd Amendment, 2003.

Additional Information

• The Eighth Schedule now contains 22 languages. The Constitution originally listed 14; Sindhi was added by the 21st Amendment (1967), Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali by the 71st Amendment (1992), and Bodo, Dogri, Maithili and Santhali by the 92nd Amendment (2003).
• Languages awaiting inclusion include Bhojpuri, Rajasthani, Bhoti, Tulu, Garhwali, Kumaoni, Mizo and Angika — a demand periodically raised in Parliament.
• Inclusion in the Eighth Schedule matters because it entitles a language to representation on the Official Language Commission, its use in UPSC and other recruitment examinations, and enrichment of Hindi as the official language.
• Do not confuse this with Classical Language status, which is conferred by the government and carries different criteria. Those so recognised include Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali.