Supreme Court Dismisses Plea For Hindi As Official Language Of Court, Says Phased Reforms Are Already Being Introduced
The Court declined to order a commission for adopting Hindi, noting that language inclusion is underway administratively and legislative matters should not be forced judicially.
The Supreme Court of India dismissed a writ petition seeking directions to the Union government to constitute a commission for adopting Hindi as the official language of the apex court.
It observed that steps to introduce Hindi and other regional languages are already being actively implemented on the administrative side.
The Bench also said that language reforms are being carried out in a phased manner to preserve a pan-India judicial culture without requiring judicial intervention.
Recently, the Court, on the occasion of Hindi Diwas, announced the launch of “Jan Soochna Seva”, a new public information service in Hindi, with a view to making justice more inclusive.
The Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana ordered, "The petitioner has been apprised to the fact that necessary steps for use of Hindi and other regional languages are being taken by the Supreme Court on administrative side. Consequently, no directions on judicial side are required."
The plea prayed for directions to the Union to constitute a commission to use Hindi as the official language of the Supreme Court.
Justice Bagchi said, "You should take this up with the legislature...Otherwise, what happens, sir, when courts—definitely custodian of Constitution—but when this sort of decisions are taken through the courts, they are always criticized as undemocratic decisions imposed on society."
Chief Justice Kant added, "You should be aware also, in a phased manner, we are slowly introducing certain things. Have you gone now to the latest website?...We are now giving a brief description of all the important judgments of the Supreme Court in Hindi. Also, we will start with other regional languages also. We have to maintain pan-India culture; we will respect other regional languages also. These things are—it doesn't happen with a court order. It happens with a part of reforms, slowly and in a phased manner. So, have patience; we are doing it."
The Counsel added that the Court may constitute a commission.
Chief Justice Kant added, "You all want to argue only for stream—because there is a live streaming, then it's a different issue. Otherwise, we have indicated enough."
Accordingly, the Court dismissed the petition.
Cause Title: Brahmeshwar Nath Mishra v. Union of India & Others [W.P.(C) No. 1231/2026]