The Karnataka Local Authorities (Official Language) Act, 1981

The Karnataka Local Authorities (Official Language) Act, 1981

The Karnataka Local Authorities (Official Language) Act, 1981 establishes Kannada as the primary official language for all local authorities across Karnataka, including statutory corporations and co-operative societies. It aims to promote regional language use in local public administration while protecting minority rights. The law permits English for official correspondence with central or state bodies, courts, technical matters, or administrative necessities. Additionally, where a linguistic minority constitutes at least fifteen percent of the local population, public notices, official handouts, and petition responses must also be provided in that minority language, ensuring accessible and inclusive governance for all local residents.

PDF: pending for this language.