Nepali Language Made Mandatory in Telecom Services Across Sikkim

The Central government has taken a significant step toward linguistic inclusion and consumer-friendly policy by making the Nepali language mandatory across all telecom services in Sikkim. The move, aimed at ensuring better accessibility and communication for residents of the state, was formalized through a directive issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications.

According to the order, all telecom service providers—including mobile operators, internet service providers (ISPs), and virtual network operators (VNOs)—must incorporate Nepali into their customer-facing operations. This includes customer care services, SMS alerts, and interactive voice response systems (IVRS), which are essential channels for subscribers to access information and resolve service-related issues.

The official memorandum, dated September 2, and signed by Rakesh Yadav, Assistant Wireless Advisor (Licensing Policy), highlights the government’s recognition of Nepali as the lingua franca of Sikkim. Since Nepali is the most widely spoken language in the state and serves as a key medium of communication for the majority of its population, the directive emphasizes the importance of making telecom services more inclusive and user-friendly by enabling subscribers to communicate in their mother tongue.

The mandate clearly states that telecom operators must integrate Nepali alongside English and Hindi, thereby creating a trilingual framework for all telecom-related services in the state. As a result, routine services such as SMS alerts about billing, recharge notifications, and other account updates will now be available in Nepali. Additionally, customer support interactions at call centres and responses through IVRS will also feature Nepali, ensuring a smoother experience for subscribers who prefer or are more comfortable in their native language.

To ensure timely implementation, the DoT has specified a strict timeline: telecom operators and service providers must adopt the new provisions within 30 days of the notification. They are also required to submit compliance reports to their respective Licensed Service Area (LSA) offices, which will monitor the rollout and confirm adherence to the directive. This means that subscribers in Sikkim are expected to start receiving telecom-related communication in Nepali by early October 2025.

The directive applies universally to all Unified License (UL) holders, Virtual Network Operators (UL-VNOs), and Internet Service Providers operating under the licensing frameworks of 2002 and 2007. This ensures that every telecom operator functioning within Sikkim, regardless of size or market share, is covered under the policy and must adhere to the new linguistic requirements.

Officials from the DoT have underlined that strict monitoring mechanisms will be in place to oversee the implementation process. Service providers that delay compliance or fail to incorporate Nepali as mandated could face regulatory scrutiny and possible action. This provision underscores the government’s seriousness in enforcing the directive and ensuring that the benefits of linguistic inclusion are realized without delay.

Overall, the decision reflects a broader policy orientation of the government toward promoting linguistic diversity, cultural respect, and accessibility in essential services. By mandating Nepali in telecom services, the government not only acknowledges the cultural identity of Sikkim’s people but also empowers subscribers to access services more comfortably and effectively. This initiative strengthens consumer rights, enhances inclusivity, and sets a precedent for recognizing regional languages in critical service sectors.