National Language of India, Official Language vs National Language

India is a democratic nation known for its rich cultural diversity and languages. The linguistic landscape of the country is remarkably vast as different regions speak distinct languages. It is often said that in India, both language and dialect change every few kilometers, much like the taste of water, a statement that holds true across the nation. As a nation comprising 28 states and 8 Union Territories, India does not officially recognize any language as its national language. It is essential to distinguish between a national language and an official language. Keep reading the article for the insights into the status of languages in India.

National Language of India

India’s rich cultural diversity has led to no single language as the National Language of India. Hindi, spoken by less than 44% of the population, has been a topic of discussion for years regarding its recognition as the official language, but no consensus has been reached. As per the Indian Constitution, no language holds the title of the National Language of India. However, for official communication at the national level, both Hindi and English have been designated as the official languages.

Official Language of India

The official language of India is Hindi in the Devanagari script, as stated in Article 343 of the Constitution. Along with Hindi, English is used as an associate official language for government communication, legal matters, and parliamentary proceedings. This dual-language policy ensures smooth administration across India’s diverse linguistic regions.

Hindi

As per Article 343 of the Indian Constitution, Hindi is the primary language used by the Central Government when communicating with states where Hindi is widely spoken.

English

Serving as the associate official language, English is used for communication between the Central Government and states where Hindi is not the predominant language.

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List of 22 Official Languages of India

The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution officially recognizes 22 languages. Initially, only 14 languages were included, but over time, amendments led to the addition of more languages. Articles 343 to 351 in Part XVII of the Constitution specifically deal with the provisions related to official languages in the country. Below is the complete list of the 22 languages recognized by the Indian Constitution.

Official Language vs National Language

As per Article 343 of the Indian Constitution, the Central Government communicates in Hindi with Hindi-speaking states. For interactions with other states, English serves as the associate official language. Therefore, Hindi and English are recognized as the official languages of India, but neither holds the status of a national language. Check the table below to know more details:

Expansion of the Eighth Schedule to 22 Languages

The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution originally listed 14 languages in 1950. Over time, through the 21st (1967), 71st (1992), and 92nd (2003) Constitutional Amendments, more languages were added to recognize India’s linguistic diversity. With the inclusion of Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali in 2003, the total number of scheduled languages increased to 22.