RAS question
Which constitutional article specifically directs the promotion and spread of Hindi to serve as a medium of expression for the composite culture of India?
Correct answer: (D) Article 351.
Article 351 directs the Union to promote the spread of Hindi so that it may serve as a medium of expression for all elements of India's composite culture.
Explanation
Article 351 is the provision that makes the development of Hindi a Union duty. The official constitutional text says the Union must promote the spread of Hindi and develop it so that it can serve as a medium of expression for all elements of India's composite culture. That matches the question's wording directly: promotion, spread, Hindi, and composite culture all belong to Article 351. The other listed provisions deal with nearby but distinct language issues. Article 343 declares Hindi as the official language, Article 344 concerns the Official Language Commission, and Article 350A deals with mother-tongue instruction at the primary stage.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Article 343 is about Hindi as the official language, not the constitutional directive to develop and spread Hindi as an expression of India's composite culture.
- (B) Article 344 concerns the Official Language Commission, so it addresses official-language review machinery rather than the Union's duty to promote Hindi's spread.
- (C) Article 350A provides for mother-tongue instruction at the primary level, which is a different language-rights issue from developing Hindi under Article 351.
Concept
This tests the constitutional language provisions, especially the distinction between official language, language commissions, educational safeguards, and directive development of Hindi. It recurs in RAS because Articles 343 to 351 are compact, fact-heavy provisions often tested through close wording.