Aizawl, January 22, 2026: Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Thursday held a review meeting with members of the Eighth Schedule Study Group constituted under the Mizo Language Development Board (MLDB) to assess the progress of efforts aimed at securing inclusion of the Mizo language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
The meeting, held at the Chief Minister’s office, focused on the status of the Study Group’s work and future strategies for advancing the long-standing demand for constitutional recognition of the Mizo language. During the interaction, members of the Study Group informed the Chief Minister that although their final report has not yet been formally submitted, the document is nearing completion and will soon be ready for presentation.
Lalduhoma appreciated the progress achieved by the Study Group within a relatively short period and commended the Mizo Language Development Board and its members for their commitment and efforts. He noted that the recommendations and proposals prepared by the group appeared to be comprehensive and well thought out. The Chief Minister assured the members that the state government would carefully examine their recommendations and take appropriate follow-up measures to pursue the matter further.
According to the Study Group, extensive consultations were conducted with various organisations, institutions, scholars, and community representatives across Mizoram to gather public opinion regarding the inclusion of Mizo in the Eighth Schedule. The members reported that there was overwhelming support for the proposal among the people.
The group also pointed out that while the Mizoram Government had previously submitted a proposal seeking inclusion of Mizo in the Eighth Schedule, no significant follow-up action had taken place in recent years. To address this, the members suggested the formation of a dedicated Task Group that would prepare a comprehensive proposal and actively pursue the matter with the Central Government.
Highlighting the importance of the language, the Study Group noted that Mizo was declared the official language of Mizoram in 1974 and continues to serve as a common language among Zo ethnic communities living in different parts of India and abroad. They emphasized that Mizo plays a vital role in preserving cultural identity and strengthening social cohesion among Mizo-speaking communities worldwide.
The members further highlighted that Mizo has already received recognition from the Sahitya Akademi as a regional language and is taught up to the doctoral (PhD) level in educational institutions. The People’s Linguistic Survey of India has classified Mizo as a growing language, while UNESCO has listed it in the “Vulnerable” category, underscoring the need for continued efforts to promote and preserve it.
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According to data from the 2011 Census, Mizo speakers were present across 26 states and seven Union Territories of India. The census recorded 8,30,846 Mizo speakers in Mizoram, though experts believe the number has increased significantly over the past decade. Scholars estimate that the global Mizo-speaking population now exceeds 2.2 million, reflecting the language’s expanding reach and influence.
The Study Group also highlighted the growing international recognition of the language. On May 11, 2022, Google Translate added Mizo to its platform, selecting it among only 24 languages worldwide for inclusion from a pool of 1,745 languages studied. The members described this as a significant milestone that demonstrates the language’s relevance in the digital age.
The meeting was attended by R. Lallianzuala, Chairman of the Mizo Language Development Board, Lalsangpuia, Secretary of MLDB, and Study Group members Zoramdinthara and H. Laldinmawia.
Officials said the discussion marked another important step in Mizoram’s ongoing efforts to secure constitutional recognition for the Mizo language. Inclusion in the Eighth Schedule would not only enhance the language’s status at the national level but also provide greater opportunities for its promotion, preservation, and development in education, administration, literature, and public life.
