News in Shorts: 20 April 2026

20 Apr 2026

Official Languages of Meghalaya

Context: Meghalaya approved an ordinance granting official status to Khasi and Garo alongside English, strengthening linguistic identity and pushing for inclusion in the Eighth Schedule.

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About Official Language

An official language is the language used by the government for administration, legislation, and communication with citizens.
Determined by:
- Article 343 (Official Language of the Union): Defines Hindi in Devanagari script for official purposes while continuing the use of English, as upheld in cases like M.N. Ravichandran v. Union of India, which affirmed the bilingual policy of the Union.
- The Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India lists the official languages recognized by the Government of India, with provisions related to these languages occurring in Articles 344(1) and 351
  - Article 348 (Language for Supreme Court/High Courts): Mandates that all proceedings, including judgements, decrees, and orders in the Supreme Court and High Courts, shall be in English until Parliament acts otherwise.
  - Art 345 (Regional Language): At the state level, legislatures can adopt one or more languages for official use under Article 345 of the Indian Constitution, ensuring flexibility based on regional needs.
Significance: Official language status promotes administrative accessibility, strengthens cultural identity, enhances participation in governance, and supports preservation of linguistic diversity.

About Scheduled Languages

Scheduled languages in India are the 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which mandates their recognition, development, and representation.
- (1) Assamese, (2) Bengali, (3) Gujarati, (4) Hindi, (5) Kannada, (6) Kashmiri, (7) Konkani, (8) Malayalam, (9) Manipuri, (10) Marathi, (11) Nepali, (12) Oriya, (13) Punjabi, (14) Sanskrit, (15) Sindhi, (16) Tamil, (17) Telugu, (18) Urdu (19) Bodo, (20) Santhali, (21) Maithili and (22) Dogri.
These languages receive official support, inclusion in competitive examinations, and academic recognition, allowing for diverse regional representation at the national level.

About Khasi Language

Origin: A unique Austroasiatic language, setting it apart from the Indo-Aryan and Dravidian families common in India.
Significance: Primarily spoken by the Khasi tribe in Meghalaya, it serves as a cornerstone of their identity.
Usage: It is essential for daily life, education, and the preservation of rich oral traditions, folklore, and music.

About Garo Language

Origin: Part of the Tibeto-Burman family, highlighting the distinct ethnolinguistic roots of the region.
Significance: The primary tongue of the Garo community, reflecting Meghalaya’s cultural diversity.
Usage: Widely used in local governance, classrooms, and spiritual rituals, keeping their storytelling heritage alive.

The decision enhances linguistic inclusivity, enables governance in native languages, preserves tribal heritage, and strengthens the case for inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

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India’s Nuclear Power Expansion Target

Context: India is aiming to significantly expand its nuclear power capacity to 100 gigawatts (GW) by 2047.

About India’s Nuclear Power Expansion

Ambitious Target: India aims to increase nuclear capacity from current ~8.8 GW to 100 GW by 2047.
Roadmap: A detailed plan has been developed by the Central Electricity Authority to achieve this target.
Policy Reforms: Legislative steps like the Shanti Act have been enacted, with further rules and guidelines under preparation.
Private Participation: Nuclear sector likely to open up to private companies, with 10–12 companies expected to enter and boost capacity.
- Adani Power Ltd, has incorporated Coastal-Maha Atomic Energy Ltd, to operate in the nuclear energy segment.
Key Challenges: Fuel security, site identification, and need for skilled manpower remain major constraints.
Emerging Technology: Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) offer future potential but are still under development globally.

Current Nuclear Power Landscape in India

Installed Capacity: India has ~8.78 GW nuclear power capacity, generating 56,681 million units (2024–25) of electricity.
Total Share: Nuclear energy contributes around 3% of total electricity generation.
Global Cooperation: India has signed civil nuclear agreements with 18 countries, strengthening technology access and fuel security.

Vishwa Sutra

Context: The Ministry of Textiles has launched an initiative called ‘Vishwa Sutra – Weaves of India for the World’.

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About Vishwa Sutra

Launch: The initiative’s designer collection was showcased at the 61st Femina Miss India event held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
Implementing Agencies: Developed by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms) in collaboration with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).
Key Idea: The initiative presents Indian handlooms in a contemporary global design framework to enhance their international appeal.
- 30 handloom weaves from different Indian states are featured under this initiative.
- Each weave is creatively reinterpreted using design inspirations from 30 different countries, blending Indian traditions with global aesthetics.
Policy Vision:
- Aligns with the government’s “Vocal for Local to Global” approach.
- Supports the 5F textile Value Chain:
  - Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign.
Significance:
- Promotes global visibility of Indian handlooms.
- Supports artisans and sustainable livelihoods.
- Helps preserve India’s textile heritage while integrating it with modern fashion markets.