Languages of Indian States and Union Territories (Complete List)

India is a linguistically rich nation with a variety of languages spoken across its states and union territories. While Hindi and English are the official languages of the central government, each state and union territory has the autonomy to designate its own official languages. This article presents the official languages of Indian states and union territories along with their second official languages, where applicable. This list is useful for students preparing for competitive exams and learning about India’s linguistic diversity.

Official Languages of Indian States and Union Territories

S.No.	State/Union Territory	Official Language(s)	Second Official Language(s)
1	Andhra Pradesh	Telugu	English
2	Arunachal Pradesh	English	–
3	Assam	Assamese	Bengali, Bodo
4	Bihar	Hindi	Urdu
5	Chhattisgarh	Hindi	Chhattisgarhi
6	Goa	Konkani, English	Marathi
7	Gujarat	Gujarati	Hindi
8	Haryana	Hindi	English, Punjabi
9	Himachal Pradesh	Hindi	Sanskrit
10	Jharkhand	Hindi	Various regional languages including Bengali, Maithili, Santali, and Urdu
11	Karnataka	Kannada	English
12	Kerala	Malayalam	English
13	Madhya Pradesh	Hindi	–
14	Maharashtra	Marathi	–
15	Manipur	Manipuri	English
16	Meghalaya	English	Khasi, Garo
17	Mizoram	Mizo	English, Hindi
18	Nagaland	English	–
19	Odisha	Odia	–
20	Punjab	Punjabi	–
21	Rajasthan	Hindi	–
22	Sikkim	English, Nepali, Sikkimese, Lepcha	Various local languages including Gurung, Tamang
23	Tamil Nadu	Tamil	English
24	Telangana	Telugu	Urdu
25	Tripura	Bengali, English, Kokborok	–
26	Uttar Pradesh	Hindi	Urdu
27	Uttarakhand	Hindi	Sanskrit
28	West Bengal	Bengali, English	Nepali, Urdu, Santali, Hindi, and more
29	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	Hindi, English	–
30	Chandigarh	English	–
31	Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu	Gujarati, Konkani, Marathi, Hindi	–
32	Delhi	Hindi, English	Urdu, Punjabi
33	Lakshadweep	Malayalam	English
34	Jammu and Kashmir	Kashmiri, Dogri, Hindi, Urdu, English	–
35	Ladakh	Hindi, English	–
36	Puducherry	Tamil, French, English	Telugu, Malayalam

Details of Indian States and Union Territories Language

1. Hindi

Hindi is one of the two official languages of India and the most widely spoken language across the country. Originating from the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European language family, Hindi is written in the Devanagari script. It plays a crucial role in Indian communication, especially in northern and central India, including states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Hindi is deeply embedded in Indian culture, literature, cinema, and media, and is one of the 22 scheduled languages of the Indian Constitution. It is also a major language for government administration, education, and national identity.

2. English

English, though introduced during British rule, remains a significant language in India today, used in governance, education, law, and business. It is the second official language of India, allowing for communication across a linguistically diverse nation. English is widely spoken and understood, particularly in urban areas, and is the primary medium for higher education and technical instruction. In states like Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Sikkim, English is one of the official languages. Its global importance has made English a bridge between India and the rest of the world, ensuring its continued relevance in Indian society.

3. Assamese

Assamese is the official language of Assam, a northeastern state of India. It is an Indo-Aryan language derived from Sanskrit and has been used in the region for centuries. Assamese serves as a cultural and linguistic bond among the people of Assam, and its literature includes a rich tradition of poetry, folklore, and classical texts. The language is central to Assamese identity, and it plays a key role in the education system and day-to-day communication in the state. Assamese is also spoken in parts of Arunachal Pradesh and other neighboring regions.

4. Bengali

Bengali, or Bangla, is the official language of West Bengal and Tripura, and one of the 22 scheduled languages of India. It is also spoken in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and by the Bengali diaspora worldwide. Bengali is an Indo-Aryan language with a rich literary history, including contributions from Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Bengali is the second most spoken language in India and is used extensively in literature, films, music, and education. It has a vibrant cultural presence, with a literary tradition that spans centuries, making it one of the most prominent languages in India.

5. Telugu

Telugu is the official language of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, two southern states of India. It is the most widely spoken Dravidian language and is known for its classical literature. The script used in Telugu is unique and visually distinct, reflecting the language’s rich heritage. Telugu literature dates back to at least 1000 years, with classical poetry and prose being integral to its history. Telugu cinema, or Tollywood, also has a vast following and significantly contributes to Indian cinema. The language holds a special place in Indian linguistics due to its vast number of speakers and cultural significance.

6. Gujarati

Gujarati is the official language of Gujarat and is spoken by over 55 million people worldwide. It belongs to the Indo-Aryan language family and has a rich history of literature, from medieval poetry to modern works. The script of Gujarati is derived from Devanagari and has evolved over time. Gujarati is widely used in commerce, education, media, and day-to-day communication in Gujarat. The language is also prominent in business communities both within India and abroad. Notable figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel contributed to its rich literary and political tradition.

7. Kannada

Kannada is the official language of Karnataka and one of the oldest languages in the Dravidian family. With a literary history of over 2000 years, Kannada has a wealth of classical literature, including ancient poetry and epics. The Kannada script is distinct and is used not only for Kannada but also for writing other South Indian languages. Kannada literature has produced several Jnanpith Award winners and is known for its poetry, philosophy, and novels. The language also plays an important role in the Sandalwood film industry, making it integral to Karnataka’s cultural identity.

8. Malayalam

Malayalam is the official language of Kerala, spoken by over 35 million people. It belongs to the Dravidian language family and has a complex script derived from ancient Brahmi scripts. Malayalam has a rich literary tradition, especially known for its poetry, classical literature, and drama. It is widely used in education, literature, cinema, and media in Kerala. The Malayalam film industry, known as Mollywood, is well-regarded for its artistic cinema. The language is crucial for the cultural identity of Kerala, with a deep connection to its traditions, festivals, and way of life.

9. Marathi

Marathi is the official language of Maharashtra and is spoken by over 80 million people worldwide. It belongs to the Indo-Aryan family of languages and has a rich cultural heritage. Marathi literature has flourished for over a millennium, with contributions from saints and poets during the Bhakti movement. It has produced a vast body of poetry, plays, and novels that are significant in Indian literature. Marathi is widely used in education, media, administration, and the entertainment industry, particularly in Marathi cinema and theater.

10. Punjabi

Punjabi is the official language of Punjab and is widely spoken across northern India and by the global Sikh diaspora. It belongs to the Indo-Aryan language family and is written in the Gurmukhi script. Punjabi is known for its rich tradition of folk music, poetry, and literature, particularly during the Bhakti and Sufi movements. The language has a vibrant presence in Indian cinema, particularly in Punjabi films and music, which have a global following. Punjabi plays a vital role in the religious and cultural practices of Sikhs, as it is the language of the Guru Granth Sahib.

11. Tamil

Tamil is the official language of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, as well as a classical language with a history that dates back more than 2,000 years. It is part of the Dravidian language family and has its own script, which is distinct and ancient. Tamil is one of the longest-surviving classical languages in the world, with a rich literary tradition that includes ancient epics, poetry, and philosophical texts. Tamil literature is diverse, ranging from devotional works to modern novels. Tamil cinema, or Kollywood, is a significant part of Indian cinema, contributing both entertainment and art.

12. Odia

Odia is the official language of Odisha and is spoken by over 40 million people. It is an Indo-Aryan language with a literary tradition that goes back over 1000 years. The script of Odia is rounded and unique, derived from the Brahmi script. Odia literature is known for its poetry, epics, and religious texts, and it has been recognized as a classical language of India due to its ancient heritage. Odia is widely used in administration, education, and media in Odisha, and the language is deeply tied to the cultural identity of the state.

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