Languages with legal status in India

As of 2025^[update], 22 languages have been classified as recognised languages under the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India.^[1] There is no national language of India.^[2]

While the constitution was adopted in 1950, article 343 declared that Hindi would be the official language and English would serve as an additional official language for a period not exceeding 15 years.^[3] Article 344(1) defined a set of 14 regional languages which were represented in the Official Languages Commission. The commission was to suggest steps to be taken to progressively promote the use of Hindi as the official language of the country.^[4] The Official Languages Act, 1963, which came into effect on 26 January 1965, made provision for the continuation of English as an official language alongside Hindi.^[5]

^ "Eighth Schedule" (PDF). Government of India. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
^ "Hindi, not a national language". The Hindu. 25 January 2010. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
^ "Constitutional Provisions: Official Language Related Part-17 of The Constitution Of India" (PDF). Government of India. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
^ "Constitution of India, Eighth schedule" (PDF). Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
^ Official Languages Act (PDF). Parliament of India. 1963. Retrieved 1 December 2023.

[Eight-1] "Eighth Schedule" (PDF). Government of India. Retrieved 5 December 2023.

[2] "Hindi, not a national language". The Hindu. 25 January 2010. Retrieved 20 November 2018.

[Rajbasha-3] "Constitutional Provisions: Official Language Related Part-17 of The Constitution Of India" (PDF). Government of India. Retrieved 1 July 2015.

[Constitution-4] "Constitution of India, Eighth schedule" (PDF). Government of India. Retrieved 1 December 2023.

[5] Official Languages Act (PDF). Parliament of India. 1963. Retrieved 1 December 2023.

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