List of languages by number of native speakers in India

Language region maps of India

Fastest growing languages of India — Hindi (first), Kashmiri (second), Gujarati & Meitei alias Manipuri (third), Bengali (fourth) — based on 2011 census of India

List of languages by number of native speakers in India

India is a country with a vast linguistic diversity, featuring languages from several language families, including Indo-Aryan, Dravidian, Austroasiatic, Sino-Tibetan, and others. The Constitution of India recognizes 22 languages under the Eighth Schedule, which have been granted official status and are referred to as Scheduled Languages. However, the total number of languages spoken in India is much higher, with the Census of India reporting several hundred languages in use across the country. This article provides an overview of the languages of India by the number of native speakers, based on data from various sources including the Census of India.

Top Languages by Number of Native Speakers

1. Hindi: Hindi, an Indo-Aryan language, is the most spoken language in India. It is the primary language of several states in North and Central India and serves as the lingua franca for much of the Indian population. Hindi is also one of the two official languages of the Government of India, alongside English.

2. Bengali: Bengali is the second most spoken language in India and the primary language of the state of West Bengal. As an Indo-Aryan language, it has a rich literary heritage and is the official language of Bangladesh as well.

3. Telugu: Telugu, a Dravidian language, is the most spoken language in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh and the union territory of Yanam (part of Puducherry). It is also widely spoken in the neighboring state of Telangana.

4. Marathi: Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken predominantly by the people of Maharashtra. It is the official language of the state and has a rich cultural and literary tradition.

5. Tamil: Tamil, one of the oldest living languages in the world, is spoken primarily in the state of Tamil Nadu and the union territory of Puducherry. It is a Dravidian language with a history that dates back over two millennia.

6. Urdu: Urdu is an Indo-Aryan language that is closely related to Hindi but is written in the Perso-Arabic script. It is widely spoken in many states of India, including Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, and others. Urdu is also one of the official languages of Jammu and Kashmir.

7. Gujarati: Gujarati is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in the state of Gujarat. It is the primary language of the Gujarati people and has a rich literary tradition.

8. Kannada: Kannada is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly in the state of Karnataka. It has a rich literary history, with writings dating back to the 9th century.

9. Odia: Odia is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in the state of Odisha. It is the official language of the state and has a literary tradition that stretches back over a thousand years.

10. Malayalam: Malayalam is a Dravidian language spoken in the state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (Mahe). It has a rich literary and cultural tradition.

Language Policy and Education

The Government of India has implemented various policies to promote and regulate the use of these languages. The Three-language formula in education, for example, encourages the study of a local language, Hindi, and English in non-Hindi speaking states, and the study of a local language, another Indian language, and English in Hindi speaking states.

Challenges and Preservation

Despite the rich linguistic diversity, many languages in India face challenges such as declining number of speakers and lack of formal recognition. Efforts are being made by both governmental and non-governmental organizations to preserve and promote lesser-known languages and dialects.

Conclusion

The linguistic landscape of India is as diverse as its culture and geography. The list of languages by the number of native speakers in India reflects the country's complex linguistic heritage, with each language carrying its unique history, literature, and identity.