Constitution Section 120 — Language to be used in Parliament

Part V — THE UNION — Procedure Generally

Constitutional

Summary

Parliament must conduct its business in Hindi or English. However, the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha or the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, or the person acting in that role, can allow a member who cannot speak Hindi or English well enough to address the House in their mother tongue. After fifteen years from the start of the Constitution, this rule will work as if the words "or in English" are removed, unless Parliament passes a law to change this.

Official Text

(1) Notwithstanding anything in Part XVII, but subject to the provisions of article 348, business in Parliament shall be transacted in Hindi or in English:

Provided that the Chairman of the Council of States or Speaker of the House of the People, or person acting as such, as the case may be, may permit any member who cannot adequately express himself in Hindi or in English to address the House in his mother-tongue.

(2) Unless Parliament by law otherwise provides, this article shall, after the expiration of a period of fifteen years from the commencement of this Constitution, have effect as if the words “or in English” were omitted therefrom.