Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Supreme Court Rejects Plea for Hindi Language Panel
Brahmeshwar Nath Mishra asked the Supreme Court to consider using Hindi as its official language.
He also asked the government to create a commission to study the idea.
The Supreme Court did not accept the petition.
The judges said language changes should happen through gradual reforms, not court orders.
The court already gives short descriptions of its reports in Hindi.
It plans to begin using other regional languages too.
The judges said the proposal might require changing the Constitution.
The court therefore dismissed the petition.
The Supreme Court dismissed a PIL seeking Hindi as its official language.
The petition asked the Centre to establish a commission to study and recommend the proposal.
Brahmeshwar Nath Mishra filed the petition, citing constitutional provisions through his counsel.
Chief Justice Surya Kant said language reforms were already being introduced gradually and administratively.
The bench said court reports now include brief Hindi descriptions and that the requested change could require a constitutional amendment.
- Who
- Brahmeshwar Nath Mishra filed the PIL, which was heard by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana.
- What
- The Supreme Court dismissed a plea seeking a commission to examine and recommend Hindi as the court's official language.
- When
- The PIL was dismissed on Friday.
- Where
- The matter was heard in the Supreme Court.
- Why
- The bench said language reforms were already being handled administratively and gradually, could not be imposed through judicial orders, and might require a constitutional amendment.
Petitioner's Position
Supreme Court's Position
Commission on Hindi
Petitioner's Position
Mishra's counsel asked the Centre to constitute a commission to examine and recommend Hindi as the Supreme Court's official language.
Supreme Court's Position
The bench dismissed the PIL and said language reforms were already being considered administratively.
Method of Reform
Petitioner's Position
The petitioner's counsel argued that the Centre could be directed to create the commission and cited constitutional provisions.
Supreme Court's Position
The Chief Justice said language reforms should happen slowly and in phases rather than through judicial orders.
Constitutional Requirement
Petitioner's Position
The counsel continued to seek at least a direction to constitute a commission.
Supreme Court's Position
The bench said the requested relief could entail a constitutional amendment.
- Petitioner
- Brahmeshwar Nath Mishra
- Request
- A commission to examine and recommend Hindi as the Supreme Court's official language
- Outcome
- The PIL was dismissed
- Bench
- Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana
- Current reform
- The court provides brief descriptions of its reports in Hindi
- Future reform
- The court said it would begin using other regional languages
- Constitutional issue
- The bench said the requested relief would entail a constitutional amendment
