Annual Programme for the Use of Hindi – 2025-26
The Department of Official Language, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, issues an Annual Programme every year to promote the progressive use of Hindi in official work in accordance with the provisions of the Official Language Resolution, 1968, the Official Languages Act, 1963, and the Official Languages Rules, 1976.
The Annual Programme for 2025-26 aims to increase the use of Hindi in official correspondence, noting and drafting, digital governance, e-Office systems, publications, training, and public services across all Central Government offices, including Indian Railways.
1. Objectives of the Annual Programme
The main objectives of the Annual Programme are:
To promote the progressive use of Hindi in official work.
To increase original work in Hindi.
To encourage noting and drafting in Hindi.
To increase the percentage of correspondence in Hindi.
To improve the working knowledge of Hindi among employees.
To promote the use of Hindi in e-Office, digital platforms, and information technology systems.
To ensure compliance with the Official Language Policy of the Government of India.
2. Classification of Regions
Under the Official Languages Rules, 1976, the country is divided into three regions:
Region 'A'
Hindi-speaking States and Union Territories where Hindi is the principal official language.
Region 'B'
States and Union Territories where Hindi is used along with other regional languages.
Region 'C'
Non-Hindi speaking States and Union Territories.
3. Correspondence Targets
Region 'A'
Region 'B'
Region 'C'
4. Noting and Drafting
The Annual Programme emphasizes original work in Hindi.
Key Guidelines
Officers and staff should be encouraged to prepare notes and drafts directly in Hindi.
Dependence on translation should be minimized.
Original correspondence and office work should be undertaken in Hindi as far as possible.
Hindi noting and drafting should be progressively increased at all levels.
5. Use of Hindi in e-Office and Digital Governance
Special emphasis has been laid on the use of Hindi in digital platforms and electronic governance systems.
Major Areas
Use of Hindi in e-Office applications.
Unicode-based Hindi typing.
Bilingual software interfaces.
Use of Hindi in official emails.
Hindi content on government websites and portals.
Digital record management in Hindi.
Promotion of Hindi on social media platforms.
6. Training Programmes
Government offices should organize and encourage:
Working Knowledge of Hindi Training.
Hindi Language Training.
Hindi Typing Training.
Hindi Stenography Training.
Unicode Hindi Typing Training.
Training for use of Hindi in e-Office systems.
Employees should be encouraged to acquire proficiency in Hindi to facilitate official work.
7. Publications, Manuals and Forms
The Annual Programme requires that:
Annual Reports should be issued bilingually.
Manuals, Codes, and Rule Books should be available in Hindi and English.
Forms and Registers should be bilingual.
Office stationery should be bilingual wherever prescribed.
Citizen-centric documents should be made available in Hindi.
8. Websites and Information Technology
All government websites should:
Provide complete Hindi content.
Maintain bilingual interfaces.
Ensure availability of important documents in Hindi.
Facilitate public access to information in Hindi.
Promote the use of Hindi in online services.
9. Use of Hindi in Meetings and Conferences
Official Language Implementation Committees
Meetings of Official Language Implementation Committees should be held regularly.
Minutes of meetings should be prepared in Hindi or bilingually.
Officers should be encouraged to make presentations in Hindi.
Hindi should be used extensively in seminars, workshops, and conferences.
10. Monitoring and Inspection
The implementation of the Annual Programme is monitored through:
Official Language Inspections.
Quarterly Progress Reports.
Annual Evaluation Reports.
Meetings of Official Language Implementation Committees.
Reviews conducted by the Department of Official Language and Administrative Ministries.
11. Special Compliance in Indian Railways
Indian Railways is required to implement the Annual Programme through:
Railway Board.
Zonal Railways.
Divisional Offices.
Production Units.
Training Institutes.
Workshops and Depots.
Focus Areas in Railways
Hindi noting and drafting.
Hindi correspondence.
Bilingual station records.
e-Office implementation.
Railway manuals and publications.
Hindi training programmes.
Hindi Fortnight and Official Language activities.
12. Key Features of Annual Programme 2025-26
The major focus areas for the year 2025-26 include:
Digital Governance.
e-Office Implementation.
Unicode Hindi Typing.
Original Noting and Drafting in Hindi.
Bilingual Websites and Portals.
Hindi Email Communication.
Capacity Building through Training.
Increased Use of Hindi in Official Correspondence.
Important Points for LDCE / Group 'B' Examinations
Quick Revision
Official Language Resolution: 1968
Official Languages Act: 1963
Official Languages Rules: 1976
Annual Programme issued by: Department of Official Language, Ministry of Home Affairs
Objective: Progressive use of Hindi in official work
Regions: A, B and C
Special Focus in 2025-26:
One-Line Examination Note
The Annual Programme for 2025-26 aims at the progressive use of Hindi in official work with special emphasis on digital governance, e-Office systems, Unicode-based Hindi typing, and original noting and drafting in Hindi.
