Malcolm Rivera
The existence of a national language is a topic that is often discussed and decided upon by a country's constitution. For example, the US constitution has recently declared English as the official language of the United States, citing the encouragement of a shared language as a means of unifying the country. On the other hand, the Indian constitution has not given any language the status of a national language, instead adopting Hindi as the official language, with English as an additional subsidiary language.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| India has a national language | False |
| India has an official language | True |
| What is the official language of India? | Hindi and English |
| Is there a plan to phase out English? | Yes, but English is still used as a subsidiary official language |
| What percentage of Indians speak Hindi? | 40% |
| How many languages are recognised as scheduled languages by the Constitution? | 21 or 22 |
| Does the US have a national language? | Yes, English |
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What You'll Learn
India's constitution
The Indian constitution does not give any language the status of the national language. Hindi is the official language, and English is used as a "subsidiary official language". However, Hindi is the mother tongue of only about 40% of Indians, so there are many safeguards to protect other languages. The Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India lists 22 regional languages, which are referred to as scheduled languages and are given recognition. These languages were entitled to representation in the Official Languages Commission when the Constitution came into force.
The Indian constitution was drawn from a number of sources, including previous legislation such as the Government of India Acts of 1858, 1919, and 1935, the Indian Councils Acts of 1861, 1892, and 1909, and the Indian Independence Act of 1947. The constitution was drafted by the 389-member Constituent Assembly, which took almost three years and held eleven sessions over a 165-day period. Each member signed two copies of the constitution, one in Hindi and the other in English. The original constitution is hand-written, with each page decorated by artists from Shantiniketan, and its calligrapher was Prem Behari Narain Raizada.
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Hindi as India's official language
India is a diverse country with a wide range of languages. The Indian Constitution, adopted in 1950, does not give any language the status of the national language. However, it declared Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union. This was a highly contested decision, with some favouring declaring Hindi as the national language immediately, while others wanted to continue using English. The Constitution also provided for a 15-year period to phase out English as an official language, but this faced resistance, especially in non-Hindi-speaking states. As a result, the Official Languages Act of 1963 was enacted, allowing for the continued use of English alongside Hindi for official purposes.
The Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India lists 22 languages, referred to as scheduled languages, and gives them recognition. These include languages such as Assamese, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Pali, Prakrit, Sanskrit, Tamil, and Telugu. Additionally, the Constitution recognises 14 regional languages that were represented in the Official Languages Commission. The commission's role was to suggest steps to promote the use of Hindi as the official language.
Hindi has a long history in India and can be traced back to the medieval period. It gained prominence during the reign of Shah Jahan, when it became the official language of the imperial court. The Hindustani vernacular became an expression of Indian national unity during the Indian Independence movement. Today, Hindi is the mother tongue of about 40% of Indians and is the fastest-growing language in the country. It is used for official purposes such as legislation, judiciary, and communication between the Central Government and State Governments.
While Hindi is the official language of the Union, India recognises the importance of its diverse languages. The Constitution provides safeguards to protect other languages, and candidates for Central Government positions may take examinations in any of the 22 scheduled languages. Additionally, states have their own official languages, and much of the government work is conducted in the official language of the respective state. The Central Government has adopted a cautious approach to spreading the use of Hindi, recognising the rich linguistic diversity of the country.
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English as a subsidiary official language
The Indian Constitution, adopted in 1950, does not give any language the status of the national language. Hindi was declared the official language, but English was to be retained as an additional official language for a period not exceeding 15 years. This period was to be used to progressively promote the use of Hindi as the sole official language. However, due to opposition to the change, the Official Languages Act of 1963 provided for the continued use of English for official purposes alongside Hindi.
The Indian Constitution recognises 22 regional languages, referred to as scheduled languages, which are entitled to representation in the Official Languages Commission. These languages are used in much of the government work in their respective states. The Constitution also requires the authoritative text of all laws, including Parliamentary enactments and statutory instruments, to be in English, unless Parliament decides otherwise.
Despite Hindi being the official language, English continues to be widely used in India. It is used for official purposes such as legislation, judiciary, and communications between the Central Government and State Governments. English is also used in the education system, with many schools teaching in English and offering English-medium education. Additionally, English is often used in higher education and as a language of business and commerce.
The continued use of English as a subsidiary official language in India has several implications. Firstly, it allows for a common language to be used across the country, facilitating communication and understanding between different linguistic communities. Secondly, it enables India to be better connected to the global community, as English is a widely spoken language internationally. Finally, the use of English as a subsidiary official language provides a degree of flexibility and inclusivity, accommodating the diverse linguistic landscape of India.
In contrast, some countries, such as the United States, have designated English as their official language. This decision is often made to promote unity and cultivate a shared national culture among citizens.
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English as the US's official language
While the US does not have a national language, President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order designating English as the country's official language. This order, issued in March 2025, revoked a Clinton-era mandate that required federal agencies to provide assistance to individuals with limited English proficiency.
The decision to make English the official language of the United States is justified by the White House on the grounds of promoting unity, cultivating a shared American culture, ensuring consistency in government operations, and facilitating civic engagement. It is argued that a common language is essential for a unified society, and it will empower new citizens to achieve the American dream by enabling them to freely exchange ideas, engage with their communities, and participate in national traditions. Additionally, the White House emphasizes the economic benefits of speaking English, stating that it opens doors for individuals.
According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in August 2024, about half of US adults (51%) consider it extremely or very important for the nation to adopt English as its official language. A further 21% believe it to be somewhat important. However, the survey also revealed that 84% of second-generation US-born adults and 79% of third or higher generation adults often or sometimes interact with immigrants who have limited English proficiency, indicating a widespread presence of other languages in American society.
In contrast to the US, some countries like India have multiple official languages recognized in their constitutions. India, with its diverse range of languages, has Hindi and English as its official languages for government purposes, with Hindi being the primary official language. The Indian Constitution does not designate a national language, but it recognizes 22 regional languages, ensuring representation and the promotion of their development.
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National language vs. official language
A national language is a language that is identified by a nation's people as a representation of their identity. It is usually a language that is spoken and understood by the majority of the population, and it holds cultural, historical, and emotional significance for the people. On the other hand, an official language is a language that is recognised by a country's government and is used for official purposes such as legislation, judiciary, and communication between different levels of government. Official languages are often designated by a country's constitution or legal framework and are used in the administration and operation of the government.
In some countries, the national language and the official language may be the same. For example, in Bangladesh, Bengali is the sole official language and is also considered the de facto and de jure national language. However, in many other countries, the national and official languages can differ. For instance, in India, the constitution does not designate a national language, but it recognises Hindi as the official language alongside English as a subsidiary official language. Despite Hindi being the official language, it is only the mother tongue of about 40% of Indians, while other languages are also widely spoken across the country.
The distinction between national and official languages can be blurry, and the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. In Canada, for example, English and French are considered the official languages as outlined in the Official Languages Act of 1969. However, some federal parliamentarians have referred to these languages as "national languages," blurring the line between the two concepts. This dynamic is further complicated by the adoption of the Indigenous Languages Act in 2019, which could be argued to implicitly confer the status of national languages on Indigenous languages.
In some cases, a country may have multiple national or official languages, reflecting the linguistic diversity of its population. For instance, Bosnia and Herzegovina have three national languages (Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian) and recognise these languages as de facto varieties of one language, Serbo-Croatian. Similarly, in the Philippines, several languages are designated as official, while a separate national language is also recognised.
The choice of national and official languages can be a sensitive issue, especially in countries with diverse linguistic backgrounds. Governments must balance the need for a common language for administration and communication with the recognition and preservation of minority languages and cultural identities.
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Frequently asked questions
No, India does not have a national language. Hindi is the official language, but it is only the mother tongue of about 40% of Indians.
A national language is the language of a nation, often used to promote unity and shared culture. An official language is used for official purposes such as legislation, judiciary, and communication between governments.
Yes, the US designated English as its official language in 2025.
There have been many discussions on the topic, but no language has been designated as the national language of India.
India has 22 official languages recognised by its constitution, including Hindi and English.
