India is a land of rich cultural and linguistic diversity. With over 19,500 spoken languages or dialects, the question of a single “national language of India” often arises. In this article, we will explore the constitutional provisions, common misconceptions, and factual clarity about India’s language policy.
This comprehensive guide aims to clear the confusion surrounding the national language of India, examining official designations, language use in governance, and the legal framework that governs linguistic diversity.
Many assume that Hindi is the national language of India due to its wide usage and official recognition. However, this belief is not backed by the Indian Constitution. The confusion arises from the prominence of Hindi in public discourse and governance, but legally speaking, India does not have a national language.
According to Article 343 of the Indian Constitution:
| Category | India |
|---|---|
| National Language | None |
| Official Language | Hindi and English |
| Scheduled Languages | 22 |
Under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, 22 languages are recognised as scheduled languages. These are:
| S.No. | Language |
|---|---|
| 1 | Assamese |
| 2 | Bengali |
| 3 | Bodo |
| 4 | Dogri |
| 5 | Gujarati |
| 6 | Hindi |
| 7 | Kannada |
| 8 | Kashmiri |
| 9 | Konkani |
| 10 | Maithili |
| 11 | Malayalam |
| 12 | Manipuri |
| 13 | Marathi |
| 14 | Nepali |
| 15 | Odia |
| 16 | Punjabi |
| 17 | Sanskrit |
| 18 | Santali |
| 19 | Sindhi |
| 20 | Tamil |
| 21 | Telugu |
| 22 | Urdu |
| Aspect | National Language | Official Language |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Symbolic of national identity | Used for government functioning |
| Usage | Intended to be used across the country | Not necessarily recognised by law |
| Number | Usually only one language | Can be more than one |
| Recognition | Recognised by the Constitution | Recognized by the Constitution |
| Language | Key Points |
|---|---|
| Hindi | – Widely spoken across North and Central India |
| – Promoted by the government through various schemes | |
| – Used in many government and administrative communications | |
| English | – Legacy of the British era |
| – Common medium for higher education, law, and commerce | |
| – Used alongside Hindi for central government communications |
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| 343 | Directive for the development of the Hindi language |
| 344 | Commission and Committee on Official Language |
| 345 | Official language of the State |
| 346 | Official language for communication between states and the Union |
| 347 | Recognition of a language spoken by a section of the population in a state |
| 351 | Directive for development of the Hindi language |
Each state in India is empowered to adopt its official language(s) for governance. For example:
Some states use English as an additional official language to Hindi or their regional language
Many people incorrectly believe Hindi is the national language because:
However, the Indian government has never declared Hindi as the national language. This distinction is important to uphold the linguistic diversity and equality enshrined in the Constitution.
India’s approach to language is a powerful reflection of 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.
Understanding the distinction between a national language and official languages is essential for every citizen. It not only debunks widespread myths but also reinforces the importance of linguistic diversity in shaping a more inclusive and democratic India.
Rather than seeing language as a barrier, India embraces it as a bridge—a celebration of identity and a symbol of federal unity. This progressive approach offers a model for multilingual nations across the globe, proving that diversity, when respected and managed, becomes a strength, not a weakness.
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.
Ans. Hindi is our official language, along with English. India is a diverse country where the spoken language changes in each state. Getting all of the population to learn and also speak Hindi would be a hard task. Therefore, the constitution gave the status of official language to Hindi.
Ans. The Indian constitution has, importantly, no national language. There are, instead, two official languages, Hindi and English. Both of these languages are for use in Government official work. Along with this, 22 other languages are also stated in the Constitution that have recognition.
Ans. There are two official languages: Hindi and English.
Ans. 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.
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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