The question of India’s “National Language” is a subject of significant constitutional and cultural importance. India is a democratic republic celebrated for its vast linguistic landscape, where it is famously observed that dialects change every few kilometers. With 28 states and 8 Union Territories, the legal and constitutional status of languages remains a cornerstone of the nation’s federal structure.
I.National Language of India: The Constitutional Reality
A common misconception exists regarding the status of Hindi. It is crucial to note that India has no National Language.
The Constitution of India does not award the title of “National Language” to any single tongue. This is a deliberate choice by the founding fathers to honor the country’s rich cultural diversity and prevent the marginalization of regional identities. While Hindi is spoken by approximately 44% of the population, its designation as a “national” language has never reached a legal or political consensus.
II. Official Language of India (Article 343)
While India lacks a national language, it maintains a framework for Official Languages, used for government administration, parliamentary proceedings, and legal matters.
- Hindi: Per Article 343, Hindi written in the Devanagari script is the official language of the Union.
- English: English serves as the Associate Official Language. It is primarily used for communication between the Central Government and states where Hindi is not the predominant language, as well as in the higher judiciary and technical legislation.
III. Official Language vs. National Language:Differences
| Feature | Official Language | National Language |
| Status in India | Hindi and English | None |
| Primary Use | Government communication, law, and administration. | Social, cultural, and political identity (symbolic). |
| Constitutional Basis | Article 343 designated Hindi (with English as associate). | The Constitution does not grant this status. |
| Scope | Functional and administrative. | Representative of the entire nation’s heritage. |
IV. The Eighth Schedule: 22 Recognized Languages
To preserve linguistic diversity, the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution recognizes 22 languages. These languages are granted special status for cultural and administrative purposes.
Initially, the schedule contained only 14 languages in 1950. Through subsequent amendments, this list expanded to the current 22:
List of Scheduled Languages and Regional Recognition
| Sr. No | Language | Key States/UTs of Recognition |
| 1 | Assamese | Assam, Arunachal Pradesh |
| 2 | Bengali | West Bengal, Tripura |
| 3 | Bodo | Assam |
| 4 | Dogri | Jammu and Kashmir |
| 5 | Gujarati | Gujarat, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu |
| 6 | Hindi | North Indian states (Bihar, UP, MP, Delhi, etc.), Andaman & Nicobar |
| 7 | Kannada | Karnataka |
| 8 | Kashmiri | Jammu and Kashmir |
| 9 | Konkani | Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra |
| 10 | Maithili | Bihar, Jharkhand |
| 11 | Malayalam | Kerala, Lakshadweep, Puducherry |
| 12 | Manipuri | Manipur |
| 13 | Marathi | Maharashtra, Goa |
| 14 | Nepali | Sikkim, West Bengal |
| 15 | Odia | Odisha |
| 16 | Punjabi | Punjab, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana |
| 17 | Sanskrit | Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh |
| 18 | Santali | Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar |
| 19 | Sindhi | Gujarat, Maharashtra |
| 20 | Tamil | Tamil Nadu, Puducherry |
| 21 | Telugu | Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry |
| 22 | Urdu | UP, Bihar, Delhi, Telangana, J&K |
V. Evolution of the Eighth Schedule (Amendments)
The expansion of the list of recognized languages reflects India’s evolving political and social inclusivity.
- 21st Amendment Act (1967): Added Sindhi. (Total: 15)
- 71st Amendment Act (1992): Added Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali. (Total: 18)
- 92nd Amendment Act (2003): Added Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali. (Total: 22)
FAQs on India’s Language Status
Is Hindi the national language of India?
No, the Constitution of India does not designate any language as a national language.
What is the official language of the Indian Union?
Per Article 343, Hindi in Devanagari script is the official language, with English as an associate official language.
How many languages are in the Eighth Schedule?
Currently, there are 22 languages recognized under the Eighth Schedule.
Which part of the Constitution deals with official languages?
Part XVII (Articles 343 to 351) covers provisions related to official languages.
Which language was added first after the Constitution was enacted?
Sindhi was added via the 21st Amendment in 1967.
Can a state have its own official language?
Yes, states have the power to designate their own official languages for local administration.
Is English a scheduled language?
No, English is an associate official language but is not included in the Eighth Schedule.
What are the classical languages of India?
While not the same as scheduled languages, India also recognizes “Classical Languages” like Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia.
What is Article 351?
It contains a directive for the development of the Hindi language so that it may serve as a medium of expression for all elements of the composite culture of India.
Which amendment added the most languages at once?
The 92nd Amendment Act (2003) added four languages: Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali.
