Article 3 Bangla as the state language
The state language
Official notices, laws and government forms are in Bangla, so citizens can deal with the State in their own language. Businesses dealing with government agencies should expect Bangla documents and may need certified translations.
In force. The July National Charter, put to a referendum on 12 February 2026, proposes changes here, but as of October 2026 no constitutional amendment had been enacted, as reported. The Charter proposes recognising other languages spoken in Bangladesh as national languages while keeping Bangla as the state language.
Article 3 declares Bangla the state language, honouring the 1952 Language Movement. Government offices draft letters, notices and records in Bangla, and Acts of Parliament are passed in Bangla, with English translations published for reference.
The Bengali Language Introduction Act 1987 requires Bangla in government offices, courts and official correspondence. A citizen applying for a trade licence or a passport will find the forms and replies in Bangla, and can insist on dealing with the office in Bangla.
The July National Charter proposes keeping Bangla as the state language while recognising other languages spoken in Bangladesh as national languages. This is a pending proposal and had not become law as of October 2026.
In plain English
How Article 3 works
Article 3 makes Bangla the state language of Bangladesh. This means Bangla is the language of government, Parliament, official records and, in principle, the courts. The word was changed from 'Bengali' to 'Bangla' in 1988. The article reflects the Language Movement of 1952, when people died defending Bangla against the imposition of Urdu, an event marked every 21 February. Article 3 does not ban other languages. English is widely used in business and in the higher courts, and many Indigenous communities speak their own languages at home and in school.
In practice
Bangla is used throughout Parliament, government and the lower courts. In the Supreme Court many judgments are still written in English, although the use of Bangla has grown. The Bengali Language Introduction Act 1987 gives practical effect to Article 3. After 2024, the National Consensus Commission and the July National Charter proposed recognising other languages, such as those of Indigenous and minority communities, as national languages. That proposal remains pending and no amendment had been made as of October 2026, as reported.
The text
What Article 3 says
3. The state language of the Republic is [Bangla].
English text as published on the official Laws of Bangladesh website. Where a court has changed the position, the status note above explains it.
History
Amendments
- Eighth Amendment 1988Substituted the word 'Bangla' for 'Bengali'.
Connected provisions
Related articles
Questions
Article 3: frequently asked questions
What is Article 3 of the Constitution of Bangladesh?
Article 3 states that the state language of the Republic is Bangla. It has been in the Constitution since 1972, with the word 'Bengali' replaced by 'Bangla' by the Eighth Amendment in 1988.
Is English an official language in Bangladesh?
No. Only Bangla is named as the state language. English is still widely used in business, higher education and many Supreme Court judgments, and official English translations of laws are published, but it has no constitutional status.
Sources
- bdlaws: The Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Article 3
- The Daily Star: Groundwork laid for sweeping constitutional reforms (July National Charter supplement)
This guide explains the Constitution for general understanding. It is not legal advice. Constitutional reform proposals under discussion in 2026 are described as proposals until enacted.
Constitutional and writ practice
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