List of scheduled languages of India
India is a country with a rich linguistic diversity, with over 21 officially recognized languages and more than 1,600 additional dialects spoken throughout the country. These languages are an important part of India's cultural heritage and play a vital role in the daily lives of millions of people across the country.
The Constitution of India recognizes 22 scheduled languages, which are listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. These languages are given special recognition and protection under the law, and the government is required to take steps to promote and develop these languages.
Here is the list of scheduled languages of India:
- Assamese
- Bengali
- Bodo
- Dogri
- Gujarati
- Hindi
- Kannada
- Kashmiri
- Konkani
- Maithili
- Malayalam
- Manipuri
- Marathi
- Nepali
- Oriya
- Punjabi
- Sanskrit
- Santhali
- Sindhi
- Tamil
- Telugu
- Urdu
It is worth noting that the list of scheduled languages can change over time, as the government may add or remove languages based on the needs and demands of the people. For example, in 1992, the government added the language of Konkani to the list of scheduled languages.
In addition to the scheduled languages, there are also several other languages spoken in India that are not recognized as scheduled languages. These languages include English, which is widely spoken and used in business and government, as well as various tribal and regional languages.
The recognition and promotion of scheduled languages is an important aspect of preserving and promoting India's linguistic diversity. It is also an important way for the government to recognize and support the diverse cultures and communities within the country.