National Language of India 2024, List of 22 Official Languages of India

National Language of India 2024: India, known for its rich cultural and linguistic diversity, does not have a designated national language as per its Constitution. Instead, the country recognizes Hindi (in Devanagari script) and English as the official languages for governmental purposes. This article provides a comprehensive overview of India’s linguistic framework, focusing on the significance of the 22 official languages recognized in the Constitution.

National Language of India

India’s vastness is mirrored in its multitude of languages and dialects, reflecting the unique cultural heritage of each of its 28 states and 8 Union Territories. According to the Eighth Schedule of the Indian constitution, there are 22 scheduled languages spoken extensively across various regions. The absence of a national language has been a subject of ongoing discussion and debate, given the linguistic plurality inherent in Indian society.

Understanding National Language vs. Official Language

It is essential to distinguish between a national language and an official language:

• National Language: A language that signifies the identity and cultural essence of a nation and is often spoken by a large portion of the population.
• Official Language: Used for government communication, administration, and legal proceedings. A country can have multiple official languages.

In India, Hindi and English are designated as the official languages, while no language has been officially recognized as the national language. The following sections explore the nuances of India’s linguistic policies and the importance of scheduled languages.

National Language of India as per Constitution

Due to the country’s cultural variety, none of the languages are given the status of the National Language of India. In India, less than 44% of the population speaks Hindi. For many years, there has been discussion about making Hindi an official language, but with no success. As per the Indian constitution, no language is designated as India’s national language till date. To be used for official purposes across the nation, Hindi and English have been designated as the official languages.

Constitutional Provisions

Article 343(1) of the Indian Constitution states that Hindi written in Devanagari will be the official language of the Union. The international version of Indian numerals shall be utilized for all official purposes of the Union.

Only Hindi or English is allowed for official business in the Indian parliament and government buildings. In the entire nation, English may be used for official purposes, including legislative proceedings, correspondence between the Central Government and a State Government, and legal processes.

• In accordance with Article 343, the Central Government only communicates with the states in the Hindi Belt in Hindi.
• When interacting with the states, English is to be used as an Associate Official Language.

List of 22 Official Languages of India

The eighth schedule of the Indian Constitution recognizes 22 different languages. Articles 343 to 351 of Part XVII of the Indian Constitution address the country’s official tongues.

The remaining languages were eventually added, following a number of changes, as initially only 14 languages were specified. Check here the list of all 22 Indian languages that the Indian Constitution recognizes.

National Language Vs Official Language

Any language that is spoken by a sizable portion of a country’s population is considered the national language. It serves social, cultural, and political purposes. The language used for official activity, such as in the national court, parliament, or for business purposes, is often acknowledged and adopted by the government or in the legislature.

In accordance with Article 343, the Central Government shall communicate with the Hindi States in Hindi. When communicating with the states, English is to be utilized as an associate official language. Hindi and English are therefore the official languages of India, not the national languages, as stated in the Constitution.

How Many Languages in India?

India contains 1599 other languages in addition to its 122 major languages, according to the 2001 Census of India. However, data from other sources varies, partly because “language” and “dialect” are defined differently in different sources. In the 2001 Census, it was noted that 122 languages were spoken by more than 10,000 persons, and 30 languages were spoken by more than a million native speakers.

How Many Languages Are Spoken in India?

India, behind Papua New Guinea (840), has the second-highest number of languages, according to the People’s Linguistic Survey of India (780). Ethnologue gives a lower figure of 456, however. The 2011 Census of India identified 270 mother tongues with 10,000 or more speakers each. Included in them are “123 mother tongues grouped under the Scheduled Languages and 147 mother tongues grouped under the Non-Scheduled Languages.” The unscheduled languages include Bhili (10 million speakers) and Gangte (16,000 speakers).

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