India is a linguistically diverse country with a vast array of languages spoken across its regions. The Constitution of India recognizes a specific set of languages, which are included in the Eighth Schedule. Here is a detailed overview of the registered (officially recognized) languages in India:
Scheduled Languages
The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution lists 22 officially recognized languages. These languages are known as the Scheduled Languages. They are:
- Assamese (অসমীয়া) – Spoken in Assam.
- Bengali (বাংলা) – Spoken in West Bengal, Tripura, and parts of Assam.
- Bodo (बर’ / बड़ो) – Spoken in Assam.
- Dogri (डोगरी / ڈوگری) – Spoken in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Gujarati (ગુજરાતી) – Spoken in Gujarat.
- Hindi (हिन्दी) – Widely spoken across northern and central India; it is also the official language of the Indian government.
- Kannada (ಕನ್ನಡ) – Spoken in Karnataka.
- Kashmiri (کٲشُر / कॉशुर) – Spoken in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Konkani (कोंकणी / ಕೊಂಕಣಿ) – Spoken in Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
- Maithili (मैथिली) – Spoken in Bihar and Jharkhand.
- Malayalam (മലയാളം) – Spoken in Kerala.
- Manipuri (মৈতৈলোন্) – Spoken in Manipur.
- Marathi (मराठी) – Spoken in Maharashtra.
- Nepali (नेपाली) – Spoken in Sikkim, parts of West Bengal, and among Nepali-speaking communities across India.
- Odia (ଓଡ଼ିଆ) – Spoken in Odisha.
- Punjabi (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ / پنجابی) – Spoken in Punjab and Chandigarh.
- Sanskrit (संस्कृतम्) – An ancient language of India, used in classical literature and religious texts.
- Santali (ᱥᱟᱱᱛᱟᱲᱤ) – Spoken by the Santali tribe in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam.
- Sindhi (सिन्धी / سنڌي) – Spoken by the Sindhi community, primarily in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
- Tamil (தமிழ்) – Spoken in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
- Telugu (తెలుగు) – Spoken in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
- Urdu (اردو) – Spoken in Jammu and Kashmir, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and among Muslim communities across India.
Other Recognized Languages
While the 22 Scheduled Languages are officially recognized at the national level, India also has many other languages that hold official status in specific states and regions. These include:
- Mizo (मिजो) – Spoken in Mizoram.
- Khasi (খাসি) – Spoken in Meghalaya.
- Garo (গারো) – Spoken in Meghalaya.
Language Diversity and Usage
- Multilingualism: Many Indians are multilingual, often speaking their native language along with one or more additional languages, including Hindi and English.
- Education: The medium of instruction in schools varies by state and often includes the state’s official language, Hindi, and English.
- Media: Newspapers, television, and radio broadcasts are available in multiple languages, catering to the linguistic diversity of the population.
Efforts for Language Preservation
- Cultural Significance: Languages in India are closely tied to cultural and ethnic identity. Efforts are made to preserve and promote these languages through education and cultural programs.
- Government Initiatives: Various government initiatives support the preservation and promotion of regional languages.
Conclusion
India’s linguistic diversity is a reflection of its rich cultural heritage. The recognition of multiple languages in the Constitution underscores the country’s commitment to preserving its linguistic and cultural diversity.
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