The Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha Act, 1964
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Education / Department of Higher Education
Act details
| Short title | The Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha Act, 1964 |
|---|---|
| Long title | An Act to declare the institution known as the Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha, having at present its registered office at Madras, to be an institution of national importance and to provide for certain matters connected therewith. |
| Act number | 14 of 1964 |
| Act year | 1964 |
| Enactment date | 12 May 1964 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Education / Department of Higher Education |
| Department | Department of Higher Education |
| Jurisdiction | Central (Parliament of India) |
| Sections | 7 |
| Status | Not repealed |
| Last checked on India Code | 3 Nov 2026 |
| Source | India Code, Government of India |
Summary
Summary of the Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha Act, 1964,
1. Declaration of National Importance: - Declares the Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha an institution of national importance due to its objectives.
2. Grant of Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates:
• Empowers the Sabha to hold examinations and grant degrees, diplomas, and certificates in Hindi or Hindi teaching, notwithstanding other laws.
3. Accounts and Audit: - Requires the Sabha to maintain proper accounts, prepare annual statements, and undergo annual audits by a chartered accountant.
• Specifies auditor eligibility and responsibilities.
4. Prior Approval of Central Government: - Mandates prior Central Government approval for:
• Altering the Sabha's purposes, amalgamating with another institution, or dissolving.
• Altering or amending the memorandum or rules and regulations.
Legislative history
Legislative History:
The Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha Act, 1964
● Act Title - The Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha Act, 1964
● Act Number / Year - 14 of 1964
● Act ID (India Code) - 196414
● Presidential Assent Date - May 12, 1964
● Enforcement Date - June 1, 1964
● Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Education
Precedent & Historical Rationale
● Declaration as an Institution of National Importance - Enacted under Entry 63 of the Union List (Seventh Schedule) to declare the Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha (headquartered in Madras/Chennai) as an "Institution of National Importance."
● Degree-Granting and Academic Empowerment - Formulated to empower the Sabha to hold examinations, grant degrees, diplomas, and certificates in Hindi language and literature (such as Praveen, Visharad, and post-graduate degrees), recognizing them as equivalent to university degrees across India.
Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment
● Formulation - Introduced by the Central Government to honor and expand the institution originally founded in 1918 by Mahatma Gandhi and Annie Besant to propagate Hindi across southern states.
● Parliamentary Passage - Debated and passed by both Houses of Parliament (Third Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) during the April–May 1964 session.
● Presidential Assent - Received Presidential Assent on May 12, 1964.
● Enforcement - Enforced on June 1, 1964.
Source - Official Record of Parliament, India Code, and Ministry of Education.