Optional use of Hindi or other official language in judgments, etc., of High Courts
Section 7 of the Official Languages Act, 1963 deals with optional use of Hindi or other official language in judgments, etc., of High Courts. As from the appointed day or any day thereafter the Governor of a State may, with the previous consent of the President, authorise the use of Hindi or the official language of the State, in addition to the English language, for the purposes of any judgment, decree or order passed or made by the High The Act came into force on 10 Jan 1965.
As from the appointed day or any day thereafter the Governor of a State may, with the previous consent of the President, authorise the use of Hindi or the official language of the State, in addition to the English language, for the purposes of any judgment, decree or order passed or made by the High Court for that State and where any judgment, decree or order is passed or made in any such language (other than the English language), it shall be accompanied by a translation of the same in the English language issued under the authority of the High Court.
Section 7, The Official Languages Act, 1963 (Act 19 of 1963).
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
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Binay Kumar Singh v. Bihar State Electricity Board
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
Notification under Art.348(2) and Official Languages Act s.7 making Hindi an alternative High Court language permits Art.226/227 writs in Hindi; a proviso allowing English for writs does not prohibit Hindi — unlike Tax References which expressly require English only.
On this section: s.7 — optional use of Hindi/other official language in High Courts; supports Hindi Art.226 petitions
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Questions about Section 7
What have the courts held on Section 7 of the Official Languages Act?
Binay Kumar Singh v. Bihar State Electricity Board (12 May 2010) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: s.7 — optional use of Hindi/other official language in High Courts; supports Hindi Art.226 petitions.
How do I find court cases under Section 7 of the Official Languages Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Official Languages Act 1963 7, section 7 Official Languages Act 1963, section 7 of the Official Languages Act. People searching for it also type official languages act part 7. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with Binay Kumar Singh v. Bihar State Electricity Board (12 May 2010).
When did Section 7 of the Official Languages Act come into force?
Section 7 of the Official Languages Act, cited as Official Languages Act 1963 7, came into force on 10 Jan 1965, having been enacted on 10 May 1963. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 3. Continuance of English language for official purposes of the Union and for use in Parliament703 words
- 4. Committee on Official Language230 words
- 8. Power to make rules153 words
- 5. Authorised Hindi translations of Central Acts, etc119 words
- 6. Authorised Hindi translation of State Acts in certain cases115 words
- 1. Short title and commencement63 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 21 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.