Assamese notified as the official language in Assam besides Bodo and Bengali

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 15, 2025

The Governor of Assam has notified the use of Assamese as the Official Language in the state of Assam and use of local languages in the Barak Valley, Hill Districts, and the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) under the Sixth Schedule areas.

The notification was issued on April 14 this year in exercise of the powers conferred under section 7 read with section 3 of the Assam Official Language Act, 1960 (Assam Act No. XXXIII of 1960) and it will come into effect from April 15 this year.

According to the notification, the Assamese language shall be used compulsorily in all official works while issuance of all Government notifications, Office Memoranda, Acts, Rules, Regulations, Scheme Guidelines, Transfer and Posting Orders shall be both in English and Assamese.

Further, in the districts of the Barak Valley, Bengali shall be used in addition to English for the aforementioned official purposes while in the Bodoland Territorial Region, Bodo shall be used in addition to English for the aforementioned official purposes.

All Notifications, Orders, Acts, Rules, Regulations, and Guidelines issued by the Central Government shall be published by translating into Assamese language (Bodo and Bengali, wherever applicable) within thirty (30) days of receipt by the department concerned.

Legacy documents comprising Acts, Rules, Regulations, and Notifications shall also be translated into Assamese (Bodo and Bengali, wherever applicable) over a period of two years, in a phased manner. The translation work shall be undertaken with the assistance of language departments of the Universities.

In the event of any ambiguity, discrepancy, or requirement of legal interpretation, the English version of such laws, Notifications, Rules, Regulations, Ordinance shall prevail.

The English language shall continue to be used for communication with the Government of India, Central Government Offices and other State Governments establishments.

All enquiry reports, para-wise comments, instructions, affidavits, and correspondences as required to be submitted before the Hon’ble Courts shall be in English language.

The notification informed for interpretation of the provisions contained in any Rules, Acts, Regulations, Office Order, Court Orders or Judgements, the English version shall prevail.

Further for the purpose of translation from English language to Assamese, Bengali and Bodo language, the Anuvaad Bhashini App may be used. However, officers shall exercise due discretion and carefully review the translated versions to ensure accuracy and correctness.