National Language of India: India is a country known for its diversity in culture, religion, and language. With more than 1.4 billion people, India is home to hundreds of languages and dialects. This linguistic variety often raises one important question: What is the National Language of India? Many people assume Hindi is the national language, but this is not correct. 

India does not have a national language. Instead, the Constitution of India provides for official languages, Schedule Languages, State-level official Language, and Special Directives. These are used for government, administration, and communication. Understanding the difference between a national language and an official language is important to know the constitutional position of languages in India.

Also Read: Languages In India

What is the National Language of India?

The Constitution of India does not mention any national language. Although Hindi is widely spoken and used in government functions, it is not the national language of India. The term “national language” often creates confusion among people. Because it is commonly thought that every country must have a national language. In reality, India has no national language due to its linguistic diversity. Instead, it recognizes official languages for administrative purposes.

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National Language of India According to Indian Constitution

According to the Indian Constitution, there is no national language. The Constitution, however, identifies Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union under Article 343 (Part XVII). English is also allowed as an associate official language for government work. The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution lists 22 schedule languages, which are recognized for representation, literature, and communication within states.

Therefore, as per the Constitution, India has no national language, but it has 22 scheduled languages and two Union-level official languages: Hindi and English.

Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution

The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution contains a list of 22 recognized languages. It was originally limited to 14 languages but has expanded over time. The Eighth Schedule ensures that these languages are given representation in exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), recognition in literature, and cultural importance.

The Eight Schedules of the Indian Constitution highlight the government’s commitment to linguistic diversity and equal recognition of regional languages.

List of 22 Schedule Languages of India

The Constitution of India, under the Eighth Schedule, recognizes 22 languages as schedule languages. All of these 22 languages are mentioned below:

Also Read: Official Language In India

Difference Between National Language and Official Language

The terms National Language and Official Language are often confused in India. Both represent identity and governance, but they differ in meaning, status, and usage under the Constitution. Check the table below for more clearer understanding of the National Language vs the Official Language: 

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Is Hindi The National Language Of India?

Hindi is not the national language of India. It is the official language of the Union, but it does not hold the status of a national language. This is a common misconception among many people. 

While Hindi is the most widely spoken language in India and is used in central government communication, it cannot be considered the national language, as the Constitution does not provide such a designation.

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