List of most spoken languages in India: India is the seventh largest country in the world with a population of more than 1.3 Billion people. As per the Census of India 2011, there are a total of 121 Languages Spoken in India. As per the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, there are 22 Official Languages and India Has No National Language. In this article, we will discuss the 10 most spoken languages in India.
In this article, We have covered a List of the Most Spoken Languages in India with percentages, native speakers and so on. Top 10 Spoken language in India and many more.
Let’s dive right in and get to know the List of mother tongues by number of speakers.
Most Spoken Languages in India
List of Most Spoken Languages in India
The following is the list of most spoken languages in India by Percentage population:
| language |
First language speakers |
% of total population |
Total speakers |
| Hindi |
528,347,193 |
43.63% |
691,347,193 |
| Bengali |
97,237,669 |
8.03% |
107,237,669 |
| Marathi |
83,026,680 |
6.86% |
99,026,680 |
| Telugu |
81,127,740 |
6.70% |
94,127,740 |
| Tamil |
69,026,881 |
5.70% |
77,026,881 |
| Gujarati |
55,492,554 |
4.58% |
60,492,554 |
| Urdu |
50,772,631 |
4.19% |
62,772,631 |
| Kannada |
43,706,512 |
3.61% |
58,706,512 |
| Odia |
37,521,324 |
3.10% |
42,551,324 |
| Malayalam |
34,838,819 |
2.88% |
35,538,819 |
| Punjabi |
33,124,726 |
2.74% |
36,074,726 |
| Assamese |
15,311,351 |
1.26% |
23,539,906 |
| English |
259,678 |
0.02% |
129,259,678 |
Also Read: Describe the Language Policy of India
Most Spoken Languages In India
There are 22 official languages in India, including Assamese, Bengali (Bangla), Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Urdu, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu. As per the Census of India 2011, there are 270 languages in total which are considered as mother tongues. Hindi is the most widely spoken language in India and Sanskrit is the least spoken language as per the modern context.
Top 10 Most Spoken Languages In India
Now, we are going to discuss the most spoken languages in India. Each language has its essence and significance. The following are the Top 10 Most Spoken Languages In India:
- Hindi (हिन्दी)
- Bengali (বাংলা)
- Marathi (मराठी)
- Telugu (తెలుగు)
- Tamil (தமிழ்)
- Gujarati (ગુજરાતી)
- Urdu (اردو زبان)
- Kannada (ಕನ್ನಡ)
- Odia (ଓଡ଼ିଆ)
- Malayalam (മലയാളം)
Also Read: Top Oldest Languages In The World
Most Spoken Languages in India
1. Hindi (हिन्दी) – Number of Speakers 53 Crs. (43.6%)
Hindi is the most spoken language in India and the fourth most spoken language in the world. The Hindi language evolved in the contribution of majorly three languages. The alphabets we use in Hindi came from our ancient language Sanskrit (Devanagari script). On the other hand, the essence of the language came from Urdu and Khariboli.
- Family: Indo-Aryan
- Geographical Distribution: Northern states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana.
- It is one of the the official languages of India as per the Article 343.
- Sub-categories: Tatsam, Tadbhav, Ardha Tatsam, Deshaj, and Videshi.
2. Bengali (বাংলা) – Number of Speakers 9.3 Crs. (8%)
Bangla is the second most widely spoken language in India and 7th most widely spoken language in the world. The language originated from the Sanskrit and Magadhi Prakrit. Notably, Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore (National Poet Of India) enriched the language’s literary heritage.
- Family: Indo-Aryan
- Geographical Distribution: West Bengal, Jharkhand, Tripura, Assam, etc.(India) and USA, the UK, Australia, Japan, and the Middle East (Abroad)
- Depends on the region the Phonetics and Pronunciations became different of this language.
- National Anthem of India was written in Bangla.
Also Read: 21st Amendment Act of Indian Constitution
3. Marathi (मराठी) – Number of Speakers 8.3 Crs. (6.9%)
Marathi is the third spoken language in India which have approximately 42 dialects.
- Family: Indo-Aryan
- Geographical Distribution: Maharashtra and Goa.
- Famous marathi authors like Pu La Deshpande and Vijay Tendulkar have enriched this language with their literature.
4. Telugu (తెలుగు) – Number of Speakers 8.11 Crs. (6.7%)
Telugu is one of the majorly spoken languages in South India which is also recognised as the official language of Puducherry.
- Family: Dravidian
- Geographical Distribution: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Puducherry.
- Major Dialects: Wadaga, Domara, Beraad, Kamathi, Salavari, etc.
- Poets like Annamayya and Tyagaraja have significantly contributed to their literary works to enrich this language.
Also Read: Bordering Countries of India
5. Tamil (தமிழ்) – Number of Speakers 6.9 Crs. (6.7%)
Tamil is the most spoken South Indian language in India. There are a significant number of Tamil speakers found in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Puducherry also.
- Family: Dravidian
- Geographical Distribution: Tamil Nadu, Andaman and Nicobar islands, and Puducherry.
- Cilappatikaram and Thirukkural are the most famous Tamil literature.
- Sangam Texts were written in the Tamil language.
- It is also the official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore.
- It is the oldest language of India.
6. Gujarati (ગુજરાતી) – Number of Speakers 5.5 Crs. (5.5%)
The Gujarati language was influenced by Persian, Arabic, and Sanskrit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the “Son of The Soil” of Gujarat state. This language has a historical significance as Mahatma Gandhi conducted his so many freedom campaigns in Gujarat.
- Family: Indo-Aryan
- Geographical Distribution: Gujarat, Daman and Diu, and Dadar and Nagar Haveli.
- Poets and authors like Narsinh Mehta and Pannalal Patel contributed so many works to Gujarati literature.
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7. Urdu (اردو زبان) – Number of Speakers 5.1 Crs. (4.2%)
Urdu is the interaction between Persian and Arabic. It is one of the oldest Indian languages from the Mughal era. From a military interaction to today’s Urdu Poetry, the language evolved so much.
- Family: Indo-Aryan
- Geographical Distribution: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, and Jammu and Kashmir.
- Mir Taqi Mir and Allama Iqbal were the famous poets of this language.
- Official Language Of: Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, and Jammu and Kashmir.
8. Kannada (ಕನ್ನಡ) – Number of Speakers 4.37 Crs. (3.6%)
The root of this language is Karnataka. Historical inscriptions of the 5th century traced that this language flourished under the Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas.
- Family: Dravidian
- Geographical Distribution: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra.
- Brahmi script of Ashoka was written in Kannada.
- Kavirajamarga, the famous Kannada literature was written by King Nrupatunga.
- Amoghvarsha-1st of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty was a poem book of 541 poems, was written in Kannada.
Also Read: National Translation Mission
9. Odia (ଓଡ଼ିଆ) – Number of Speakers 3.1 Crs. (3.1%)
Odia is the ninth most spoken language in India and the official language of Odisha. It is the second language of Jharkhand. The earliest Odia inscription was found before the 10th century CE. The language is developed from Ardha Magadhi Prakrit.
- Family: Dravidian
- Geographical Distribution: Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, etc.
- It is one of the classical languages of India.
10. Malayalam (മലയാളം) – Number of Speakers 3.88 Crs. (2.88%)
Malayalam evolved from a Western dialect of Tamil. Some also believe that the language evolved from the Proto-Dravidian language from which Tamil also evolved. It is the tenth most spoken language of India.
- Family: Dravidian
- Geographical Distribution: Kerala, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.
- Malayalam is the official language of Union Territory of Lakshadweep also.
- The Malayalam film industry is the most straightforward film industry, who always focus on making films on social issues.
- “Jana Gana Mana” was one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of the year 2022.
- Vaikom Muhammad Basheer and M.T. Vasudevan Nair are the celebrated authors of this language.
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What Are the Top 3 Languages Spoken in India?
The top three languages spoken in India are Hindi, with the widest reach, Bengali, known for its rich literary heritage, and Telugu, prominent in the southern states.
What Is the Most Spoken Language in India?
Hindi holds the title of the most spoken language in India, serving as a primary mode of communication for over 53 crore people according to the latest census.
Largest Spoken Language in India After Hindi
Bengali stands as the largest spoken language in India after Hindi, with a significant number of speakers in West Bengal and the northeastern regions.
What Are the Most Commonly Spoken Languages in India?
The most commonly spoken languages in India are Hindi, Bengali, and Telugu, each serving as a cornerstone of cultural and social interaction in their respective regions.
Latest Language Trends in India
Recent trends show a growing interest in regional languages and dialects, alongside an increasing proficiency in English among the younger population.
Popular Languages in India 2024
In 2023, while Hindi remains widely popular, languages like Bengali, Telugu, and Marathi continue to hold significant importance, with English also gaining traction as a global language.
Status of English Language In India
English holds a significant and evolving status in India. According to the 2011 Census, 129 million Indians (10.6%) spoke English. 259,678 (0.02%) Indians spoke English as their first language. English is one of the official languages of the Indian government, along with Hindi.
India is a diverse country and it has four major language family groups (Indo-European, Dravidian, Austroasiatic, and Sino-Tibetan). As per the Census of India 2011, there are a total of 121 languages spoken in India and there are 270 languages in total which are considered mother tongues.
Wrapping Up
India’s language diversity is vast, with over 700 languages spoken, highlighting the country’s rich cultural heritage. While Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, and Tamil are the most spoken languages, the diversity goes beyond them. This not only helps communication but also emphasizes India’s unity in diversity. The different languages contribute to the nation’s cultural pride, showcasing the harmonious coexistence of linguistic traditions in the country.
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Most Spoken Languages in India – FAQs
What is the most spoken language in India?
Hindi is the most spoken language in India, with over 53 crore speakers according to the 2011 census.
How many people speak Hindi in India?
According to the 2011 census, around 53 crore people speak Hindi in India, making it the most spoken language in the country.
What are the top 3 most spoken languages in India?
The top 3 most spoken languages in India are Hindi, Bengali, and Telugu, with Hindi leading by a significant margin.
Is English widely spoken in India?
Yes, English is widely spoken in India and is used in higher education, official government communications, and as a lingua franca among different linguistic groups.
How many languages are officially recognized in India?
India officially recognizes 22 languages under the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, highlighting the country’s linguistic diversity.
What is the second most spoken language in India?
Bengali is the second most spoken language in India, with a significant number of speakers in West Bengal and the northeastern states.
Are there any languages in India spoken by more than 50 million people?
Yes, several languages in India are spoken by more than 50 million people, including Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, and Tamil.
Which is the sweetest language of India?
Bengali (বাংলা) is the sweetest language of India.
What are India’s top 3 languages?
In terms of speakers, are Hindi (हिन्दी), Bengali (বাংলা), and Telugu (తెలుగు) are India’s top 3 languages.
Which is queen language in India?
Kannada (ಕನ್ನಡ) is queen language in India.
Which is king of language in India?
Hindi (हिन्दी) is king of language in India.
Which is India’s oldest language?
Sanskrit (संस्कृत) is India’s oldest language.
What is the hardest language in India?
Malayalam (മലയാളം) is the hardest language in India.
Which is the youngest language in India?
Malayalam (മലയാളം) is the youngest language in India.
Which is the mother of all languages?
Sanskrit (संस्कृत) is the mother of all languages.
What are the 4 language families in India?
India has four major language family groups including Indo-European, Dravidian, Austroasiatic, and Sino-Tibetan.
Which language is closest to Sanskrit in India?
Kashmiri (كٲشُر or कॉशुर) is closest language to Sanskrit in India.
Which language are most like Hindi?
Khari Boli and Urdu are most like Hindi.
Which language family are most dominant in India?
Indo-Aryan and Dravidian language families are most dominant in India.
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