New-Delhi, February 26/27, 2026. Union minister of state for Communication Dr Pemmasani Chandrashekhar chaired a meeting of Hindi Salahkar Samiti to review the implementation of Hindi language (official) in the Department of Telecommunication and its attached offices at Abmedkar Bhawan in New-Delhi on February 25. 

Dr. Pemmasani Chandrasekhar said that Hindi serves as an important medium to connect with crores of citizens across the country, allowing the government to better understand their concerns, aspirations, and expectations, and deliver public services more effectively and inclusively. In a candid remark, Chandrashekhar took upon himself the challenge of achieving complete proficiency in the language soon, claiming that he is already comfortable with nearly 80 per cent of it. Owing to his South Indian roots and more than two decades of professional engagement in the United States, his exposure to Hindi had been relatively limited. However, Chandrasekhar asserted that he is determined to bridge the gap at the earliest and strengthen his command over the language. Hindi enables better understanding of citizens' concerns and more inclusive public service delivery, added Chandrasekhar

The meeting was attended by Office Chairpersons and Non-Official Members of Department of Telecommunications and its Subordinate, Attached and Autonomous Offices. The Minister comprehensively reviewed the progressive use of Official Language in the said offices during the year 2025 and gave his valuable suggestions for the promotion of Hindi. Measures to accelerate the progressive use of Hindi in government work, including administration, training, correspondence and digital communication, were discussed in detail. The members emphasized that the promotion of Hindi in official work will also promote administrative efficiency and technological advancement in the telecom sector. The members of the committee gave constructive suggestions to further increase the use of Hindi in the day-to-day functioning of the Department. The minister assured that all practical suggestions would be duly examined for taking appropriate action.

 Key Agenda Items

The current status of implementation of Official Language Policy in the Department of Telecommunications and its subordinate and attached offices was also reviewed. The Committee examined the status of Official Language posts in the Department and its offices. The meeting concluded with a resolve to further strengthen the progressive use of Hindi in the Department of Telecommunications.

Hindi Advisory Committee

The Hindi Salahkar Samiti advises the government regarding the implementation of the provisions related to the Official Language contained in the Constitution, the Official Language Act and the rules made thereunder. The Committee reviews the compliance of the directions issued by the Department of Official Language and the decisions of the Central Hindi Committee. It also provides guidance for the progressive use of Hindi in the Department of Telecommunications and its subordinate, attached, autonomous and statutory bodies, training institutes and public sector undertakings, ensuring administrative efficiency.

Key Functions:

Advisory Role: Provides guidelines to the Ministry and its subordinate offices regarding the implementation of the Official Languages Act and its Rules.

Monitoring the Progressive Use of Hindi: Reviews the status and progress of progressive use of Hindi in government work, including training, administration and digital communication.

Implementation of Official Language Policy: Ensures implementation of the instructions issued by the Department of Official Language and Central Hindi Committee.

Suggestions: Gives practical and expert suggestions to promote the use of Hindi in daily administrative work.

Review Mechanism: Assesses the effectiveness of implementation of Hindi in attached offices, subordinate offices and public sector undertakings.

Promotion of Hindi: Promotes the widespread use of Hindi for official purposes.

Members raised concerns over the inordinate delay in convening the regular meeting, underlined that it was being held after a gap of eight years. The last meeting was held in Raipur Chhattisgarh on July 12, 1018.They (members) also flagged issues relating to the effective implementation of prescribed guidelines and recommendations, as well as the declining percentage in the use of Hindi as an official language of communication in the department. It was further pointed out that the department’s proposed catchphrase is yet to be finalised and should be determined in consultation with a separate committee constituted specifically for this purpose. Non-official member Umesh Singh emphasised that the promotion and implementation of Hindi in non-Hindi-speaking states, particularly in the southern and North-Eastern regions, must be undertaken with sensitivity and caution to avoid hurting regional sentiments or creating unnecessary discord among stakeholders.

Prominent among those present included (DG, Telecom) Ramesh Kumar Goel, (DDG, C&A) SK Ranjan, Kamal Swaroop, Satish Kumar Yadav and others.