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The question “What is the national language of India?” often sparks confusion, as many assume Hindi holds that title. However, the Constitution, through Article 343 of the Indian Constitution, designates Hindi in Devanagari script as an official language of the Union, not a national language of India. India’s linguistic landscape encompasses thousands of languages, with 22 scheduled languages recognized at the national level, reflecting the total languages in India and the rich linguistic diversity of India.
While Hindi is widely spoken, it is not formally the Indian national language, and the debate over “is Hindi national language of India” persists. This article examines the historical context, legal framework, and ongoing discussions to clarify why India does not have an official national language and explores how many languages in India contribute to its multilingual identity.
Before diving into India’s specific context, it’s essential to understand what a “national language” actually means. A national language is generally recognized as a symbol of a country’s identity and culture. It often plays a crucial role in national unity, communication, and administration.
In many countries, a national language is the primary medium for government, education, and everyday communication. Some nations may have multiple national languages to reflect their diverse populations.
India’s linguistic tapestry dates back to ancient times, with Vedic Sanskrit texts composed around 1500 BCE. Over centuries, various regional languages: Prakrit, Pali, and later Marathi, Kannada, Bengali, and Tamil emerged. Persian, Urdu, and English gained prominence in administration during the Mughal period and British colonial rule. As the freedom movement intensified, leaders recognized that linguistic unity could foster a sense of national identity. Early debates centered on choosing a language that could serve as a medium of communication across regions without overshadowing regional tongues.
Upon independence in 1947, India’s Constituent Assembly took up the challenge of framing policies regarding the national language of India. Debates during the Constituent Assembly sessions between 1946 and 1950 highlighted concerns:
Article 343 of the Indian Constitution addresses “Official Language of the Union.” Key points include:
Despite numerous amendments to the Official Languages Act, Article 343 of the Indian Constitution does not specify a national language of India but only defines the “official language” for Union purposes. This distinction is crucial: an “official language” is used for government communication, whereas a national language symbolizes cultural and historic unity.
The Official Languages Act of 1963 and its 1967 amendment extended the use of English indefinitely in addition to Hindi for Union and state-level official communication. Thus, even after 1965, English remains a “subsidiary” official language. The coexistence of Hindi and English underscores why India has not named a single Indian national language, maintaining administrative flexibility and accommodating linguistic diversity.
India’s “Unity in Diversity” motto encapsulates the ethos behind not declaring a single national language of India. Key reasons include:
A common query is “Is Hindi national language of India?” The answer is no, Hindi is not the national language but one of the official languages under Article 343 of the Indian Constitution. Hindi enjoys broad usage in northern and central India, and it is the most spoken language in India by native speakers. However, the Constitution intentionally refrains from elevating Hindi (or any other language) to a “national” status to preserve linguistic equity.
While Hindi remains the official language of the Union, several southern and northeastern states emphasize their mother tongues. The evolving perspectives include:
According to the Census of India and the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, there are thousands of “total languages in India,” including dialects and tribal languages. However, only a subset, the 22 scheduled languages, receive constitutional recognition for official purposes. The Eighth Schedule does not exhaustively list every language spoken in India but highlights those that receive constitutional support.
| No. | Language | Script(s) | Primary Region(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Assamese | Assamese | Assam, Northeast India |
| 2 | Bengali | Bengali | West Bengal, Tripura, Andaman & Nicobar |
| 3 | Bodo | Devanagari | Assam, Northeast India |
| 4 | Dogri | Devanagari | Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh |
| 5 | Gujarati | Gujarati | Gujarat, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli |
| 6 | Hindi | Devanagari | Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan |
| 7 | Kannada | Kannada | Karnataka |
| 8 | Kashmiri | Perso-Arabic, Devanagari | Jammu & Kashmir |
| 9 | Konkani | Devanagari, Roman | Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka |
| 10 | Maithili | Devanagari | Bihar, Jharkhand |
| 11 | Malayalam | Malayalam | Kerala, Lakshadweep |
| 12 | Manipuri | Meitei Mayek, Bengali | Manipur, Northeast India |
| 13 | Marathi | Devanagari | Maharashtra, Goa |
| 14 | Nepali | Devanagari | Sikkim, West Bengal, Northeast India |
| 15 | Odia | Odia | Odisha, parts of West Bengal |
| 16 | Punjabi | Gurmukhi, Shahmukhi | Punjab, Haryana, Delhi |
| 17 | Sanskrit | Devanagari | Pan-India (liturgical, cultural contexts) |
| 18 | Santali | Ol Chiki, Devanagari | Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal |
| 19 | Sindhi | Devanagari, Perso-Arabic | Gujarat, Maharashtra, Sindh (Pakistan-origin) |
| 20 | Tamil | Tamil | Tamil Nadu, Puducherry |
| 21 | Telugu | Telugu | Andhra Pradesh, Telangana |
| 22 | Urdu | Perso-Arabic | Jammu & Kashmir, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh |
Languages Followed in Different States
Below is a summary of languages prevalent in selected states and union territories (UTs). While each state may recognize multiple languages, the primary languages often correspond with the scheduled list:
Timeline of Key Events Regarding India’s Language Policy
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1867 | Fort William College (Calcutta) publishes Hindustani grammar, fostering standardization. |
| 1911 | The Constituent Assembly adopts the Constitution; Article 343 of Indian Constitution defines Hindi (Devanagari) as the “official language of the Union.” |
| 1946 | Constituent Assembly debates begin on the future languages of India. |
| 26 Nov 1949 | The constitution of India came into effect; English remained “subsidiary official” until 1965. |
| 26 Jan 1950 | Amendment to the Official Languages Act further guarantees English usage along with Hindi. |
| 1963 | Anti-Hindi agitations in Tamil Nadu intensify over plans to phase out English as an official language. |
| 1965 | Anandpur Sahib Resolution reaffirms the status of the Punjabi in the proposed Sikh homeland. |
| 1967 | The Official Languages Act enables the continued use of English beyond 1965 for official purposes. |
| 1976 | The Leshi Commission recommends creating more Eighth Schedule languages for tribal languages. |
| 1987 | Parliament passes amendments to add Sindhi to the Eighth Schedule, bringing the total to 22. |
| 2003 | National Education Policy emphasizes mother tongue and regional language instruction in schools. |
| 2010s | Digital India initiatives promote regional language content online and in governance. |
| 2020 | The constitution of India came into effect; English remained a “subsidiary official” until 1965. |
Although Article 343 prescribes Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union, it deliberately avoids declaring a national language of India. This omission was intentional to prevent linguistic hegemony. Public perception, however, often conflates “official language” with “national language,” leading to frequent questions such as “What is the national language of India?” and “Is Hindi national language of India?” The correct answer remains that there is no formal Indian national language.
India’s founders recognized that designating a common national language of India could lead to regional discord. By maintaining a multilingual policy, they ensured:
Debates on adopting a national language of India periodically reemerge:
Ultimately, the absence of a single national language of India reinforces the value placed on regional diversity, ensuring that no language community feels marginalized.
The Indian government uses a dual system of official languages:
Though English is not an official India national language, it is a neutral medium connecting linguistically diverse states. Meanwhile, Hindi remains dominant in northern and central India but is among many regional languages in the southern and northeastern states.
To address multilingual realities, India’s education policy advocates the “three-language formula”:
Several factors contribute to the misconception that India has an Indian national language:
Tamil Nadu’s resistance to making Hindi the national language of India or even the sole “link language” for the country has deep historical roots:
Karnataka exemplifies the balanced promotion of regional and national link languages:
Bihar, a historically significant Hindi-speaking state, offers an interesting dynamic:
Even in a Hindi-majority state, the notion of a national language of India remains absent; policies focus on balancing Hindi with educational needs and minority rights.
India’s linguistic diversity extends beyond mere spoken tongues to rich literary and script traditions:
These traditions illustrate why the idea of a single national language of India cannot capture the nation’s cultural mosaic.
Modern media underscores India’s polyglot reality:
These trends reinforce that no single Indian national language can monopolize India’s cultural space. Instead, multiple languages thrive, reaching diverse audiences.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes:
The NEP’s emphasis on mother tongue instruction aims to:
India’s approach to language powerfully reflects its rich cultural fabric and deep-rooted commitment to inclusivity. The country does not have a national language, a fact often misunderstood. Instead, Hindi and English serve as the official languages at the national level, complemented by the constitutional recognition of 22 scheduled regional languages. This multilingual policy embodies the spirit of both unity and diversity.
India’s Constitution promotes linguistic inclusivity and regional autonomy, allowing states the freedom to preserve and promote their languages. This framework ensures that governance and education can be tailored to local linguistic realities, while national communication remains cohesive and accessible.
There is no formal National Language of India. However, two official languages, Hindi and English, are used in government offices and courts. Additionally, to cater to the rest of the population, the constitution has recognised 22 scheduled languages.
Hindi and English are our official languages. India is a diverse country, and the spoken language of each state changes. Getting all the population to learn and speak Hindi would be a hard task. Therefore, the constitution gave Hindi the status of official language.
Importantly, the Indian constitution does not have a national language. Instead, there are two official languages: Hindi and English. Both of these languages are used in Government official work. In addition, 22 other languages are recognized in the Constitution.
There are two official languages: Hindi and English. There is no official national language in India.
The Indian Constitution does not recognise any national language. However, Hindi in Devanagari script and English are the official languages of India. States are free to adopt their official languages based on regional preferences.
The 22 reconganized languages in India are: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu—reflecting the breadth of languages in India.
Authored by, Amay Mathur | Senior Editor
Amay Mathur is a business news reporter at Chegg.com. He previously worked for PCMag, Business Insider, The Messenger, and ZDNET as a reporter and copyeditor. His areas of coverage encompass tech, business, strategy, finance, and even space. He is a Columbia University graduate.
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