Malcolm Rivera
India's linguistic diversity is reflected in its Constitution, which recognises 22 official languages. The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, adopted in 1949, initially included 14 official languages, but this has since been expanded through various Constitutional Amendments. The recognition of these languages is significant as it grants them legal status and ensures their representation in official contexts, such as the Indian Prime Minister's Office and the Press Information Bureau. While Hindi, written in Devanagari script, is the official language of the Union, the Constitution also acknowledges the importance of other languages, including English, which continues to be used alongside Hindi for official purposes. The linguistic landscape of India is complex, with 121 languages spoken across the country, and the Constitution's recognition of 22 languages is a reflection of India's commitment to preserving and promoting its rich linguistic heritage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Indian languages recognised in the Constitution | 22 |
| Date of recognition | 14 September 1949 (expanded since) |
| Original number of languages recognised | 14 |
| Official language of the Union | Hindi (Devanagari script) |
| Official website of the Indian Prime Minister's Office | 12 languages |
| Press Information Bureau (PIB) | 15 languages |
| Multi-Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff exam | 14 languages |
| Classical languages | Meitei/Manipuri (proposed) |
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What You'll Learn
- The Indian Constitution recognised 14 official languages in 1949, which has since expanded to 22
- Hindi was declared the official language of the Indian union in 1950
- English was to be phased out 15 years after the constitution came into effect
- The Official Languages Act of 1963 allowed for the continued use of English
- There are 121 languages spoken in India, 22 of which are constitutionally recognised
The Indian Constitution recognised 14 official languages in 1949, which has since expanded to 22
The Indian Constitution is a complex document that outlines the country's legal framework and has recognised various official languages over the years. The Constitution's journey with languages began in 1949 when the Draft Schedule VII-A, also known as the Eighth Schedule, was discussed in the Constituent Assembly. This schedule pertained to the official languages of India and, at the time, included 14 languages.
The languages recognised in the 1949 Draft Schedule were:
- Assamese
- Bengali
- Bodo
- Dogri
- Gujarati
- Hindi
- Kannada
- Kashmiri
- Konkani
- Malayalam
- Manipuri (Meitei)
- Marathi
- Maithili
- Nepali
It is worth noting that there were debates and divisions within the Constituent Assembly regarding the inclusion and representation of languages in the Indian Constitution. Some advocated for Hindi written in Devanagari as the national language, while others supported Hindustani with both Devanagari and Urdu scripts. The role of English was also discussed, with some proposing its continuation as an official language.
Over the years, the Indian Constitution has evolved to accommodate the linguistic diversity of the country. Since 1949, the list of official languages has expanded through various Constitutional Amendments. As of now, the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution recognises 22 official languages. These languages are spoken by people across India and represent the country's rich ethnolinguistic tapestry.
The 22 official languages currently recognised by the Indian Constitution are:
- Assamese
- Bengali
- Bodo
- Dogri
- Gujarati
- Hindi
- Kannada
- Kashmiri
- Konkani
- Malayalam
- Meitei (Manipuri)
- Marathi
- Nepali
- Odia (Oriya)
- Punjabi
- Sanskrit
- Santhali
- Sindhi
- Tamil
- Telugu
- Urdu
- English
These languages are used in various official capacities, with 12 available on the official website of the Indian Prime Minister's Office and 15 in the Press Information Bureau. Additionally, every person submitting a petition to a government authority has the right to do so in any language used in India. The recognition of these languages ensures that the diverse linguistic heritage of India is respected and included in the country's governance.
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Hindi was declared the official language of the Indian union in 1950
The Indian Constitution of 1950 declared Hindi to be the official language of the Indian Union. This was a highly contested decision, with many supporting and opposing views. R. V. Dulekar and Seth Govind Das, for example, wanted Hindi written in Devanagari to be the national language of India immediately. However, there were also divisions within this camp, with some arguing for the Devanagari script and others for the Roman script. There were also those who wanted to retain Hindustani with both scripts, and others who wanted to continue using English.
Hindi is one of the main languages of India and is spoken by around 40% of the population. It is also the mother tongue of 180 million people and the second language of 300 million people. Hindi is a link language that has brought together the large Indian diaspora living worldwide and reduced the gap between North and South India. It has also travelled to other countries, including Mauritius, Surinam, Trinidad and Tobago, South Africa, and New Zealand.
The decision to adopt Hindi as the official language was made on 14th September 1949, now celebrated annually as Hindi Diwas. The Constitution of India, adopted in 1950, stated that English would be phased out in favour of Hindi over a fifteen-year period. This meant that by 26th January 1965, English would no longer be used for official purposes.
However, this decision was not welcomed by non-Hindi speaking areas of India, particularly the Dravidian-speaking states, whose languages were not related to Hindi. As a result, the Official Languages Act of 1963 was enacted, allowing the continued use of English for official purposes alongside Hindi. The Official Languages Act of 1963 and subsequent amendments ensured that English would continue to be used as a subsidiary official language until each state that had not adopted Hindi as its official language passed a resolution to that effect.
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English was to be phased out 15 years after the constitution came into effect
The Indian Constitution, adopted in 1950, declared Hindi written in Devanagari script to be the official language of the union. The Constitution also stated that English was to be phased out for official purposes within 15 years, i.e. by 26 January 1965. This was intended to give time for Hindi to be adopted across the country.
However, as the end of the 15-year period approached, there was much alarm in non-Hindi-speaking areas, especially in the Dravidian-speaking states, whose languages were not related to Hindi. As a result, the Indian government enacted the Official Languages Act in 1963, which allowed for the continued use of English for official purposes alongside Hindi.
The Official Languages Act was amended in 1967 to state that English would not be ended as an official language until a resolution to that effect was passed by the legislature of every state that had not adopted Hindi as its official language and by each house of the Indian Parliament. As a result, English continues to be used in addition to Hindi for official purposes at the Union level, and the Union government is also required to promote and increase the use of Hindi.
The Indian Constitution recognises 22 scheduled languages, including Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Maithili, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, and Urdu. These languages are used in various official capacities, with 15 out of the 22 scheduled languages being available in the Press Information Bureau, for example. Additionally, every person submitting a petition to a government officer has a constitutional right to submit it in any language used in India.
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The Official Languages Act of 1963 allowed for the continued use of English
The Indian Constitution of 1950 recognised Hindi, written in the Devanagari script, as the country's official language. It also envisaged that English would be phased out in favour of Hindi over a 15-year period. However, plans to make Hindi the sole official language were met with resistance, particularly in non-Hindi-speaking areas of India, such as Tamil Nadu and other Dravidian-speaking states.
As a result, Parliament enacted the Official Languages Act of 1963, which allowed for the continued use of English for official purposes alongside Hindi. This Act came into force on 26 January 1965, the date on which English was originally scheduled to be phased out as an official language. The Official Languages Act ensured that English could continue to be used in addition to Hindi for all official purposes of the Union and in Parliament. This included the use of English for any order, rule, regulation, or by-law issued under the Constitution or any central Act.
The Act also addressed the use of English in legislative and judicial contexts. It stipulated that English translations of State Acts and Ordinances, where prescribed in a language other than Hindi, could be published under the authority of the State Governor. Additionally, it provided for the optional use of Hindi or other official languages, in addition to English, for judgements, decrees, or orders passed by High Courts, with the previous consent of the President.
The Official Languages Act of 1963 was later amended in 1967 to further reinforce the continued use of English. This amendment specified that English would not be ended as an official language until a resolution to that effect was passed by the legislature of every state that had not adopted Hindi as its official language and by each house of the Indian Parliament. As a result, English continues to be used by the Union government as a "subsidiary official language," alongside efforts to increase the use of Hindi.
In addition to Hindi and English, India's linguistic diversity is reflected in the recognition of various other languages in the Indian Constitution. The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution includes 22 scheduled languages, such as Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Kannada, Kashmiri, and more. These languages are used in official contexts, such as on the official website of the Indian Prime Minister's Office and in examinations conducted by the Staff Selection Commission.
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There are 121 languages spoken in India, 22 of which are constitutionally recognised
India is a linguistically diverse country, with 121 languages spoken across its various regions. This diversity is reflected in the Indian Constitution, which recognises 22 official languages in its Eighth Schedule. These languages include Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Meitei (Manipuri), Marathi, Maithili, Nepali, Odia (Oriya), Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, and Urdu. The recognition of these languages in the Constitution ensures their official status and promotes their use in various domains.
The process of selecting the official languages for the Indian Constitution was a complex one. The Constituent Assembly, which was responsible for drafting the Constitution, debated the language issue extensively. Initially, the Constitution recognised 14 official languages, but this list has since been expanded through various Constitutional Amendments. The selection of languages for the Eighth Schedule was carefully considered, with members of the Assembly advocating for the inclusion of specific languages and scripts to represent the diverse linguistic landscape of India accurately.
One of the most contentious issues regarding official languages in India has been the status of Hindi. Following independence, there were differing opinions on whether Hindi, Hindustani, or English should be the national language. Eventually, the 1950 Constitution declared Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language, with a plan to phase out English within 15 years. However, this decision faced resistance, particularly in non-Hindi speaking areas, leading to the enactment of the Official Languages Act in 1963, which retained the use of English for official purposes alongside Hindi.
Despite the official status of multiple languages, English continues to hold significant influence in India. It serves as a lingua franca, especially in urban areas and among educated and wealthier Indians. Efforts have been made to promote the use of Hindi, with regional implementation offices established to monitor its implementation in government offices. Additionally, the government has taken steps to preserve and promote other languages, such as the Meitei language, which is proposed to be included in the "Classical Languages" category and recognised as an associate official language in the state of Assam.
In conclusion, India's Constitution recognises 22 official languages out of the 121 spoken across the country. The selection and status of these languages have been influenced by historical debates, regional variations, and the desire to preserve and promote India's rich linguistic heritage. The official recognition of multiple languages highlights the country's linguistic diversity and the importance of accommodating the linguistic needs of all its citizens.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2025, 22 languages are recognised by the Indian constitution.
The recognised languages are: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Maithili, Nepali, Odia (previously Oriya), Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, and Telugu.
There is no national language of India. However, Hindi and English are the official languages.
The Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India lists the languages officially recognised by the Government of India.
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