Article 287: Language Commission

1) The Government of Nepal shall, no later than one year after the commencement of this Constitution, constitute a Language Commission comprising representation of States.

2) The Language Commission shall consist of one Chairperson and a required number of members.

3) The term of office of the Chairperson and members of the Language Commission shall be six years from the date of their appointment. They may not be reappointed.

4) A person shall be qualified to be appointed as the Chairperson or a member of the Language Commission if he or she possesses the following qualifications:

(a) Holding a master’s degree in a related subject from a recognised university,

(b) Having gained at least twenty years of experience in the fields of study, teaching and research on various languages of Nepal,

(c) Having completed the age of forty-five years, and

(d) Having high moral character.

5) The office of the Chairperson or a member of the Language Commission shall be vacant in any of the following circumstances:

(a) If he or she tenders resignation in writing,

(b) If he or she is removed by the Government of Nepal, Council of Ministers,

(c) If he completes the age of sixty-five years,

(d) If he or she dies.

6) The functions, duties and powers of the Language Commission shall be as follows:

(a) To determine the criteria to be fulfilled for the recognition of the official language and make recommendations on languages to the Government of Nepal,

(b) To make recommendations to the Government of Nepal on the measures to be adopted for the protection, promotion, and development of languages,

(c) Development of languages, to measure the levels of development of mother tongues and make suggestions to the Government of Nepal, on the potential of their use in education,

(d) To study languages. research and monitor languages.

7) The Language Commission shall complete its task under sub-clause (a) of clause (6) no later than five years after the date of its constitution.

8) The Government of Nepal may, in coordination with a State Government, establish a branch of the Language Commission in that State.

9) The other functions, duties, powers and rules of procedures of the Language Commission shall be as provided for in the Federal law.