India is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world, with a rich tapestry of languages that reflect its cultural heritage. According to the Census of India, there are 121 languages and 270 mother tongues spoken across the nation. The Indian Constitution recognizes two official languages at the national level: Hindi and English, along with 22 Scheduled Languages listed in the Eighth Schedule.
Major Languages Spoken in India
The most widely spoken languages in India vary significantly by region. Here’s a breakdown of some of the major languages, their number of speakers, and their percentage of the total population based on the 2011 Census:
| Language | Number of Speakers (in Crores) | Percentage of Total Population |
| Hindi | 52.83 | 43.63% |
| Bengali | 9.72 | 8.03% |
| Marathi | 8.30 | 6.86% |
| Telugu | 8.11 | 6.70% |
| Tamil | 6.90 | 5.70% |
| Urdu | 5.10 | 4.19% |
| Gujarati | 4.58 | 4.58% |
| Malayalam | 3.10 | 2.60% |
| Kannada | 3.40 | 2.80% |
| Odia | 3.20 | 2.60% |
Language Families
India's languages can be divided into several families:
- Indo-European Languages: Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, and Urdu are predominantly there in northern and western India.
- Dravidian Languages: Primarily in southern India, there comes Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.
- Austroasiatic Languages: This group includes languages like Khasi and Santali.
- Sino-Tibetan Languages: Spoken mainly in northeastern states, this family includes languages like Bodo and Manipuri.
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India's linguistic diversity is officially recognized through the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, which lists the languages entitled to representation and support from the government. As of 2024, there are 22 Scheduled Languages in India. Here is the complete list:
| Scheduled Language | Year Added |
| Assamese | 1950 |
| Bengali | 1950 |
| Bodo | 2003 |
| Dogri | 2003 |
| Gujarati | 1950 |
| Hindi | 1950 |
| Kannada | 1950 |
| Kashmiri | 1950 |
| Konkani | 1992 |
| Maithili | 2003 |
| Malayalam | 1950 |
| Manipuri | 1992 |
| Marathi | 1950 |
| Nepali | 1992 |
| Odia | 1950 (renamed from Oriya in 2011) |
| Punjabi | 1950 |
| Sanskrit | 1950 |
| Sindhi | 1967 |
| Tamil | 1950 |
| Telugu | 1950 |
| Urdu | 1950 |
| Santhali | 2003 |
Regional Variations
Each state in India has its linguistic identity, often using local languages as the official means of communication along with Hindi and English. For example:
- Tamil is the main language in Tamil Nadu.
- Bengali is the predominant language in West Bengal.
- Telugu is the main language in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
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The linguistic landscape of India is not only vast but also dynamic. Languages evolve and adapt over time. Hindi remains a unifying language across many states, while regional languages help preserve local cultures and identities. Such diversity is testimony to India's rich heritage and continues to shape societal interactions today.
Understanding the major languages of India gives insights into its cultural diversity and social fabric and is therefore an essential aspect of Indian identity.
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