Polity · Other Constitutional Dimensions
The 58th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1987 inserted Article 394-A, empowering the President to publish an authoritative Hindi translation of the Constitution and all its amendments. This was driven by the need for an official, legally valid Hindi text conforming to the style of Central Acts in Hindi.
The Constitution of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949 in the English language. A Hindi translation signed by members of the Constituent Assembly was published in 1950 under the authority of the President of the Constituent Assembly.
However, no single authoritative Hindi text incorporating all subsequent amendments existed. There was a growing need for such a text — both for legal use and to ensure conformity with the language and style of Central Acts in Hindi.
This amendment inserted a new Article 394-A in Part XXII of the Constitution (Short Title, Commencement, Authoritative Text in Hindi and Repeals).
Part XXII originally had only three articles: Article 393 (Short Title), Article 394 (Commencement), and Article 395 (Repeals). Article 394-A was added as a new provision.
The President shall cause to be published:
The Hindi translation, once published, shall have the same meaning as the original English text. If any difficulty arises in interpretation, the President shall cause the Hindi text to be suitably revised.
The published translation shall be deemed the authoritative text of the Constitution in Hindi for all purposes.
In pursuance of Article 394-A, the President published an authoritative text of the Constitution of India in Hindi in the Gazette of India.
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This chapter covers Background, The 58th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1987, Why This Amendment Was Needed, Outcome, Exam Focus. It is organized as revision-ready notes followed by a linked practice quiz.
For The Hindi Constitution: Article 394A and Authoritative Translation of the Founding Text, focus on definitions, dates, places, institutions, distinguishing features, and factual comparisons in the chapter. Then use the quiz to check recall and identify gaps.
Use the The Hindi Constitution: Article 394A and Authoritative Translation of the Founding Text chapter headings to organize an answer framework. Connect causes, consequences, comparisons, examples, and evidence wherever the notes provide them instead of memorizing isolated facts.