Students of a Class 12 section in Lucknow are preparing a wall exhibition on how diverse the Indian nation-state is. The first group plans a chart of the languages that the Constitution officially recognises, so that visitors can see which languages enjoy a guaranteed legal status. The second group is preparing a world map of religious communities. While shading the countries with the largest Muslim populations, they find that India itself must be marked among the top countries, ahead of most of the world. Their teacher asks both groups to check each fact before the exhibition opens.
Under which part of the Constitution are the languages on the first group's chart placed?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → The Eighth Schedule
Option (1) The Seventh Schedule — Incorrect. The Seventh Schedule divides law-making subjects between the Union and the States through the Union, State and Concurrent Lists. Its subject is the sharing of powers between governments.
Option (2) The Eighth Schedule — Correct. Twenty two languages have been officially recognised and placed under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. This placement guarantees their legal status, which is what the first group's chart is meant to show.
Option (3) The Sixth Schedule — Incorrect. The Sixth Schedule deals with the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram through autonomous district councils. It has nothing to do with official languages.
Option (4) The Fifth Schedule — Incorrect. The Fifth Schedule covers the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in other states. Recognised languages are placed elsewhere.
NCERT (2026-27): “Cultural Diversity and India as a Nation-state |