Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has announced that starting next year, all proceedings in both Houses of Parliament, along with related official paperwork, will be translated into India's 22 scheduled languages using Artificial Intelligence. This step aims to make parliamentary work more accessible to people across the country, marking the first time such full translations will be available to the public. The announcement was made during a press conference ahead of a major international speakers' meeting, highlighting efforts to use technology for better democracy.
What is the New AI Translation Initiative in Parliament?
Purpose and Scope: This plan uses AI to translate all spoken debates, discussions, and written documents in Parliament into 22 languages, making them available to everyone online or through official channels.
Implementation Details: The Lok Sabha Secretariat will lead this, with AI tools trained on Indian languages to provide accurate, real-time translations during sessions.
Timeline and Challenges: It starts next year, but depends on how quickly AI learns regional dialects; currently, only 10 languages have real-time support, so expansion needs more training and staff.
What are the 22 Scheduled Languages in India?
Definition: These are languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, recognized for official use and promotion by the government.
List of Languages: They include Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
Historical Addition: The schedule started with 14 languages in 1950, and more were added through amendments, like Bodo and Santhali in 2003, to represent India's diversity.
Why is Multilingual Access Important for Parliament?
Promoting Inclusivity: India has over 1,600 languages spoken by its people, so translations help citizens from different regions understand laws and debates that affect them.
Democratic Value: It strengthens people's connection to government, as Speaker Birla said, by making proceedings accessible, which boosts trust and participation in democracy.
Current Gaps: Without full translations, many non-Hindi or non-English speakers miss out on key information, limiting the reach of parliamentary work.
How Does Parliament Currently Handle Language Translations?
Existing System: Human interpreters provide real-time translations in 18 languages in Lok Sabha, but only English and Hindi in Rajya Sabha; they work in booths, switching every 30 minutes.
Process: Speeches in regional languages are translated via relay (first to Hindi/English, then to others), with daily costs around Rs 2-3 lakh for interpreters.
Evolution: Translations began as summaries in the 1950s, with full Hindi debates from 1978 and English from 1985; recent additions include six languages like Bodo and Sanskrit in 2025.
What Role Will AI Play in These Translations?
Technology Use: AI will automate translations for speed and accuracy, handling both spoken words during live sessions and written paperwork like Bills.
Benefits: It reduces costs over time, covers more languages quickly, and allows real-time access, unlike manual methods that are limited by staff availability.
Global Comparison: India will be unique in offering this in 22 languages, as most parliaments use fewer; AI helps manage the scale of India's linguistic diversity.
What is the Background of Language Use in Indian Parliament?
Constitutional Basis: Article 120 allows Parliament to use Hindi or English, but members can speak in their mother tongue with permission, needing translations for others.
Historical Efforts: Since independence, Parliament has worked on including regional languages, starting with basic interpretations and growing to digital tools today.
Related Initiatives: The government promotes official languages through commissions, and tech like AI aligns with Digital India to make governance inclusive.
What are the Challenges in Implementing AI Translations?
Technical Issues: AI may struggle with dialects, idioms, or technical terms in laws, needing continuous training on parliamentary data.
Human Support: While AI leads, young translators will assist for accuracy, especially in committees; hiring and training them is key.
Broader Concerns: Ensuring privacy of debates and avoiding errors that could mislead the public are important for trust.
How Does This Fit into India's Broader Digital Governance Goals?
Link to Digital India: It supports initiatives like e-Parliament, digitizing records, and using tech for faster legislative work, aiming for efficient, transparent government.
International Context: Announced before a global conference, it shows India's leadership in using AI for democracy, discussing similar topics with other nations.
Impact on Citizens: Easier access to proceedings in local languages empowers people to engage with policies, especially in diverse states like Tamil Nadu or Assam.
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