List of All Languages of India
India has a reputation of cultural and linguistic diversity. The fact that there is a high number of languages spoken in various regions is one of the most interesting aspects of the country. It is not an easy question when individuals pose a question like how many languages in India. India boasts of hundreds of languages and thousands of dialects which are a mirror of history, tradition and communities.
Knowing the languages of India list can make people perceive the diversity of the country. Northern states and the southern coast have their voice. All the official languages of India, scheduled languages of India and most of the Indian regional languages create a peculiar system of language spoken in India.
This paper describes the functioning of languages in India, their number and which are acknowledged by the Constitution.
Table of Contents
Language Diversity in India
India is among the most diverse nations in the world. Various regions have diverse languages, and even within most communities, there are dialects. The Census of India showed that over 19,500 languages/dialects are spoken in the nation. Most of them, however, are variations of larger language groups. Once the similar dialects are grouped they are reduced to smaller but still impressive number.
The 22 scheduled languages are actually known by the Indian Constitution. These are popular, culturally, literary, and administrative languages. Besides these, numerous regional Indian languages are spoken in day-to-day life in villages, towns, and cities.
Official Languages of India
India lacks one national language. Rather, the Constitution states the official two languages in the central government.
The two common languages of India are:
- Hindi
- English
Hindi is a language written in Devanagari and spoken in many regions of the country, mainly in the North and Central regions. Government work, courts, higher education and interstate communication are communicated in English.
Most government documents, parliamentary debates, and other official notifications are issued in both Hindi and English. On the state level, every state may select its own official language according to what language is taught by the majority of the citizens in that area.
Scheduled Languages of India
The Indian Constitution contains a separate document called the Eighth Schedule. The languages found on this list are known as scheduled languages of India.
Currently, the schedule has 22 languages. The government supports these languages in education, administration, and even in culture. Here is the complete languages of India list under the Eighth Schedule.
- Assamese is a language primarily used in the Assam state. It has got an extended literary heritage and a script akin to Bengali.
- Small states West Bengal and Tripura Bengali dominate much of these states. It is also among the most spoken languages in the globe.
- The Bodo community in Assam uses Bodo.
- Dogri is used in Jammu and other places in view.
- The primary language in Gujarat is Gujarati, which is popular in India’s business circles.
- One of the most spoken languages in the country is Hindi which is one of the official languages of the central government.
- Karnataka is primarily a Kannada speaking state with a literary background dating many centuries back.
- Kashmiri language is used in the Kashmir Valley and they have got their own culture.
- In Goa and coastal regions around the regions, Konkani is the language.
- Maithili is also used in Bihar and its surrounding.
- Malayalam is the main language in Kerala and is widely represented in literature and cinema.
- Manipuri or Meetei is the language of the state of Manipur.
- Maharashtra has a great literary and theatre tradition in the language, primarily in its mainstream Marathi.
- Nepali is widely spoken in the Himalayan States, such as Sikkim and West Bengal.
- Odia is the official language of Odisha and a classical language of India.
- The Punjabi language is popular both in Punjab and among the Punjabis in the diaspora.
- Sanskrit is an ancient language and a foundation of various Indian languages.
- The Santali tribes in eastern India speak Santali.
- The Sindhi community of India speaks Sindh.
- Tamil is one of the oldest languages still in use and is commonly spoken in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.
- In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Telugu is the most widely spoken language.
- Urdu is practiced across various regions of India and is closely associated with poetry and literature.
All these 22 languages collectively compose the linguistic scheduled languages of India.
Indian Regional Major Languages.
In addition to the planned languages, millions of people speak many of the regional languages spoken by Indians. In various societies, such languages are involved in normal communication.
For example, the Tulu language is used in coastal Karnataka and in some parts of Kerala. The Bhojpuri language is an everyday language, very common in eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Garhwalis and Kumaonis are used in the hilly regions of Uttarakhand. This is used in Ladakh where Ladakhi is the language. Although the languages are not mentioned in the Constitution, they are powerful in shaping the region’s identity and culture.
A large number of individuals in their day-to-day lives speak more than one language. Someone may use a local language at home and a regional language in the community, as well as a working or educational language that is either Hindi or English.
Why India Has So Many Languages
Several factors explain why there are so many languages in India. The country has a lengthy history that dates back thousands of years. Over time, various kingdoms and communities created their own distinct languages.
Second, geography was a significant factor. Mountains, rivers, and forests frequently divided communities. Due to this division, languages developed in distinct ways across various regions.
Third, India has consistently embraced migration and cultural exchange. Merchants, visitors, and people moving to new areas introduced new languages and cultural influences to the region.
These factors combined to form the diverse range of Indian regional languages that exist today.
The significance of language in Indian culture
Language plays a crucial role in shaping identity within India. It showcases traditions, literature, music, and social activities. Many Indian languages boast extensive literary traditions. Classical literature, poetry, and sacred writings have been composed in languages including Tamil, Sanskrit, Bengali, and Kannada.
Films, television, and digital media also make use of regional languages. Each significant language in India has its own film industry and publishing industry. Many states’ education systems also use the regional language to teach children during their early years of schooling. This helps maintain local culture and traditions.
As a result, the official languages of India and the scheduled languages of India serve not just as administrative tools but also as cultural foundations.
| Rank | Language | Speakers (Approx.) | Percentage |
| 1 | Hindi | 422,048,642 | 41.03% |
| 2 | Bengali | 83,369,769 | 8.11% |
| 3 | Telugu | 74,002,856 | 7.19% |
| 4 | Marathi | 71,936,894 | 6.99% |
| 5 | Tamil | 60,793,814 | 5.91% |
| 6 | Urdu | 51,536,111 | 5.01% |
| 7 | Gujarati | 46,091,617 | 4.48% |
| 8 | Kannada | 37,924,011 | 3.69% |
| 9 | Malayalam | 33,066,392 | 3.21% |
| 10 | Oriya | 33,017,446 | 3.21% |
| 11 | Punjabi | 29,102,477 | 2.83% |
| 12 | Assamese | 13,168,484 | 1.28% |
| 13 | Maithili | 12,179,122 | 1.18% |
| 14 | Bhili/Bhilodi | 9,582,957 | 0.93% |
| 15 | Santali | 6,469,600 | 0.63% |
| 16 | Kashmiri | 5,527,698 | 0.54% |
| 17 | Nepali | 2,871,749 | 0.28% |
| 18 | Gondi | 2,713,790 | 0.26% |
| 19 | Sindhi | 2,535,485 | 0.25% |
| 20 | Konkani | 2,489,015 | 0.24% |
| 21 | Dogri | 2,282,589 | 0.22% |
| 22 | Khandeshi | 2,075,258 | 0.21% |
| 23 | Kurukh | 1,751,489 | 0.17% |
| 24 | Tulu | 1,722,768 | 0.17% |
| 25 | Meitei/Manipuri | 1,466,705* | 0.14% |
| 26 | Bodo | 1,350,478 | 0.13% |
| 27 | Khasi | 1,128,575 | 0.11% |
| 28 | Mundari | 1,061,352 | 0.10% |
| 29 | Ho | 1,042,724 | 0.10% |
| 30 | Kui | 916,222 | |
| 31 | Garo | 889,479 | |
| 32 | Kokborok | 854,023 | |
| 33 | Mizo | 674,756 | |
| 34 | Halabi | 593,443 | |
| 35 | Korku | 574,481 | |
| 36 | Munda | 469,357 | |
| 37 | Mishing | 390,583 | 0.05% |
| 38 | Karbi/Mikir | 366,229 | 0.04% |
| 39 | Saurashtra | 310,000 | 0.04% |
| 40 | Savara | 273,168 | 0.03% |
| 41 | Koya | 270,994 | 0.03% |
| 42 | English | 226,449 | 0.03% |
| 43 | Kharia | 225,556 | 0.03% |
| 44 | Khond/Kondh | 220,783 | 0.03% |
| 45 | Nishi | 173,791 | 0.02% |
| 46 | Ao | 172,449 | 0.02% |
| 50 | Sema | 166,157 | 0.02% |
| 51 | Kisan | 162,088 | 0.02% |
| 52 | Adi | 158,409 | 0.02% |
| 53 | Rabha | 139,365 | 0.02% |
| 54 | Konyak | 137,722 | 0.02% |
| 55 | Malto | 108,148 | 0.01% |
| 56 | Thado | 107,992 | 0.01% |
| 57 | Tangkhul | 101,841 | 0.01% |
FAQs
How many languages are there in India?
India’s Census lists over 19,500 languages and dialects. However, when dialects are grouped, there are only a few hundred distinct languages in India.
What is the official language in India?
The official languages of India, used by the government, are Hindi and English. These are used for administration, parliament, and communication between states.
How many official languages are there in India?
There are 22 official languages of India in the Eighth Schedule, recognized by the government.
Which is the most spoken language in India?
Hindi is the most widely spoken language in the country. But several other languages such as Bengali, Telugu, Marathi and Tamil also have millions of speakers.
Why are there so many languages in India?
The Indians have many languages due to their history and geographic location, as well as cultural exchange among various communities. These led to the development of their own languages and dialects.