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Language of High Courts in India and when to file translations

Updated 6 October 2026 · Reviewed by a human

English is the constitutional default for proceedings in the Supreme Court and the High Courts under Article 348(1)(a). The Ministry of Law and Justice, in its answer dated 19 March 2026, identifies Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar as the High Courts where Hindi is permitted in proceedings. A High Court judgment, decree or order in another language needs the separate authorisation contemplated by section 7 of the Official Languages Act, 1963, and an English translation issued under the High Court’s authority. Subordinate courts use the language their State Government directs, under the applicable procedural law. (Constitution of India, Article 348; Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question 3158, 19 March 2026; Official Languages Act, 1963, section 7)

This page is the starting point for the translation guides. It covers the rule at each court level and what you usually have to file.

What does Article 348 say about the language of the Supreme Court and High Courts?

Article 348(1)(a) provides that, until Parliament by law otherwise provides, all proceedings in the Supreme Court and in every High Court shall be in English. (Constitution of India, Article 348)

Article 348(2) lets the Governor of a State, with the President’s previous consent, authorise the use of Hindi, or any other language used for official purposes of the State, in proceedings in the High Court having its principal seat in that State. Its proviso says that nothing in the clause applies to any judgment, decree or order of that High Court. So permitted use of a language in proceedings does not itself authorise a judgment in that language. (Constitution of India, Article 348)

Which High Courts are allowed to use Hindi?

Four. In a Rajya Sabha answer dated 19 March 2026, the Ministry of Law and Justice said Hindi is permitted in the proceedings of the High Courts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. Earlier Parliament answers give the years. Rajasthan came first, in 1950. Uttar Pradesh followed in 1969, Madhya Pradesh in 1971 and Bihar in 1972. (Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question 3158, 19 March 2026; Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question 1703, 3 August 2023)

A Cabinet Committee decision of 21 May 1965 requires the consent of the Chief Justice of India for any proposal to use a language other than English in a High Court. That is separate from the President’s previous consent under Article 348(2). Proposals for Tamil (Madras), Gujarati (Gujarat), Hindi (Chhattisgarh), Bengali (Calcutta) and Kannada (Karnataka) were not accepted by the Full Court of the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice of India conveyed the Full Court’s decision on 18 January 2016. (Lok Sabha Unstarred Question 3715, 11 December 2019; Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question 1703, 3 August 2023) The 19 March 2026 answer also records that a proposal for Hindi in the Jharkhand High Court has been sent to the Chief Justice of India. (Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question 3158, 19 March 2026)

For other High Courts, English remains the constitutional default. Particular rules may still allow specified documents or filings in another language, subject to translation requirements. The Bombay Appellate Side rules for parties appearing in person are an example. (Constitution of India, Article 348; Bombay High Court Appellate Side Rules, Chapter IV)

Can a High Court give its judgment in Hindi or a state language?

Yes, but under section 7 of the Official Languages Act, 1963, not under Article 348(2). Section 7 lets the Governor, with the President’s previous consent, authorise Hindi or the State’s official language, in addition to English, for any judgment, decree or order of the High Court. Where a judgment is in a language other than English, it “shall be accompanied by a translation of the same in the English language issued under the authority of the High Court”. The Department of Official Language’s notes record that section 7 came into force on 7 March 1970. (Official Languages Act, 1963, section 7)

The Law Ministry’s 2026 answer says the same: a non-English judgment needs an authorised English translation issued under the High Court’s authority. (Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question 3158, 19 March 2026)

What language do district and subordinate courts use?

The State Government decides.

Civil courts. Under section 137 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, a subordinate court keeps its existing language until the State Government directs otherwise. The State may declare the court’s language and the script for applications and proceedings. Under section 137(3), anything the Code requires or allows to be written, other than evidence, may be written in English. A party or pleader who does not know English can ask for a translation into the court’s language. The court decides who pays for it. State amendments and local rules also apply. (Dipak Jaiswal v SEBI, M.P. 5880/2024, Madhya Pradesh High Court, 7 November 2024 (CPC section 137))

Criminal courts. Under section 307 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), the State Government may determine the language of each court in the State other than the High Court. It carries forward section 272 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Section 312 deals with the language of the record of evidence. If a witness’s evidence cannot practicably be taken down in the witness’s own language, a true translation into the court’s language is prepared as the examination proceeds and forms part of the record. Section 531 is the repeal and savings clause. It preserves the CrPC procedure for appeals, applications, trials, inquiries and investigations pending immediately before the BNSS commenced. (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023; Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, section 272)

For Maharashtra practice, see Bombay High Court and Marathi documents.

When does the Supreme Court need an English translation?

Order VIII rule 2 of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013 says no document in a language other than English may be used for the purpose of any proceedings before the Court unless: (Supreme Court Rules, 2013, Order VIII rule 2)

(a) it comes with a translation agreed to by both parties;

(b) it comes with a translation certified as true by a translator appointed by the Court; or

(c) it is translated by a translator appointed or approved and notified by the Court.

The Explanation extends the rule to an English document that is partly in another language. Rule 3 says every document required to be translated is to be translated by a translator appointed or approved and notified by the Court. A translation agreed to by both parties, or certified as true by a translator appointed or approved by the Court, may be accepted. Rule 4 requires every translator, before acting, to make an oath or affirmation to translate “correctly and accurately”. Order IX rule 6 deals with affidavits that need interpretation to the deponent. If made in Delhi, the interpreter must be nominated or approved by the Court. If made elsewhere, a competent person must interpret it and certify that the affidavit was correctly interpreted. (Supreme Court Rules, 2013, Order VIII rules 2 to 4 and Order IX rule 6)

Order V rule 1 lets the Registrar exercise the Court’s powers on listed matters. Item 11 is an application for appointment and approval of a translator or interpreter. Item 25 is an application for exemption from filing official translation. If the required translation is not being filed, seek the exemption and comply with the directions that follow. See exemption from filing official translation. (Supreme Court Rules, 2013, Order V rule 1)

What do High Courts require for documents in a regional language?

Each High Court’s own rules decide this. Take the Delhi High Court (Original Side) Rules, 2018. Chapter III rule 1 requires pleadings to be in English. Rule 5 says the Registry will not receive a non-English document unless it comes with an English translation that is one of the following: (Delhi High Court (Original Side) Rules, 2018, Chapter III rules 1 and 5)

  • agreed to by all parties;

  • certified as true by an advocate engaged in the case, or by another advocate if the engaged advocate authenticates it;

  • prepared by an official translator of the Court;

  • prepared by an official translator of a body recognised by the Court or by the Central or State Government; or

  • prepared by a translator specially appointed or approved by the Registrar.

The Bombay High Court is stricter on its Original Side and more flexible on its Appellate Side. On the Original Side, a non-English exhibit to a plaint is not annexed at all: “an official translation of such exhibit shall be annexed”. (Bombay High Court Original Side Rules, Chapter IV, rule 42(2))On the Appellate Side, a writ petition may annex translations certified as true by the advocate or supported by the applicant’s affidavit, and Marathi documents may be filed untranslated if the party or advocate undertakes to supply English translations when the Court orders them. (Bombay High Court Appellate Side Rules, Chapter XVII, rule 2) See Bombay High Court and Marathi documents for the detail.

Other High Courts have their own rules and practice directions, and they differ. Check the current rules of your High Court before you file.

Summary: court level, language and when English is needed

Court Language of proceedings When an English translation is needed
Supreme Court English (Art. 348(1)) Documents wholly or partly in another language: an Order VIII rule 2 translation or an applicable exemption order. (SC Rules)
High Courts (most) English (Art. 348(1)) Court-specific rules apply. Delhi Original Side: Chapter III rule 5. Bombay Original Side plaint exhibits: rule 42(2). Bombay Appellate Side writ documents: Chapter XVII rule 2. (Delhi); (Bombay Original Side); (Bombay Appellate Side)
High Courts of Rajasthan, UP, MP, Bihar English, plus Hindi in proceedings (Art. 348(2)) (Rajya Sabha answer) A judgment in Hindi needs an English translation issued under the High Court’s authority (OLA s. 7). For filings, check that court’s rules. (OLA s. 7)
Civil courts below the High Court Language declared by the State (CPC s. 137) (CPC s. 137) English writing may be allowed under s. 137(3), subject to State amendments and local rules. A party who does not know English can ask for a translation into the court’s language. On appeal, the higher court’s rules apply.
Criminal courts below the High Court Language set by the State (BNSS s. 307; earlier CrPC s. 272) (BNSS) Record-of-evidence translation follows BNSS section 312 in its specified proceedings. Higher-court documentary requirements apply separately.

What does an advocate typically have to file?

Where NyayTranslate fits

NyayTranslate is an AI tool that translates legal documents, including scanned and handwritten pages, subject to legibility. Its website describes layout, stamp and table preservation, lists English and nine Indian languages, and offers a free preview of the first two pages. It is a machine translation. It is not certified, official or court-approved. Review the complete output against the original. Any filing must still follow the route your court’s rules require: an agreed translation, a certified translation, an official translation or an exemption. (NyayTranslate website and FAQs)

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change; check the current rules and practice directions of your court.

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