If there’s one thing that makes India stand out on the world map, it’s her diversity. Walk a few hundred kilometers in any direction, and you’ll hear a different tongue, discover a new dialect, and meet people who carry centuries of traditions in their speech. Unlike many countries that have a single national language, India thrives on linguistic variety. With 28 states and 8 Union Territories, each region has its own official language along with dozens of local dialects.
This guide explores the fascinating relationship between Indian states and languages—from the scheduled languages recognized by the Constitution to the regional tongues spoken in every corner of the country.
India: A Country of Many Languages
According to the Constitution of India, there are 22 scheduled languages. But the reality is much bigger—India has 121 major languages and nearly 19,500 dialects. That means conversations change not just from state to state but sometimes even from village to village.
While Hindi is the most widely spoken, followed closely by Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, and Tamil, every state proudly preserves its own linguistic identity. This balance between unity and diversity is what makes India unique.
State-Wise List of Languages in India
Let’s take a closer look at each state, its capital, and its recognized official language(s).
| State | Capital | Official Language(s) | Other Major Languages Spoken |
| Andhra Pradesh | Amaravati | Telugu | Urdu, English |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Itanaga | English | Nyishi, Adi, Apatani, Hindi |
| Assam | Dispur | Assamese | Bodo, Bengali, Hindi |
| Bihar | Patna | Hindi | Urdu, Maithili, Bhojpuri |
| Chhattisgarh | Raipur | Hindi | Chhattisgarhi, Gondi, Halbi |
| Goa | Panaji | Konkani | Marathi, English |
| Gujarat | Gandhinagar | Gujarati | Hindi, Sindhi |
| Haryana | Chandigarh | Hindi | Punjabi |
| Himachal Pradesh | Shimla | Hindi | Pahari, Punjabi |
| Jharkhand | Ranchi | Hindi | Santhali, Ho, Mundari |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru | Kannada | Tulu, Konkani, Kodava, Urdu |
| Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram | Malayalam | Tamil, Tulu, Konkani |
| Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal | Hindi | Marathi, Bundeli, Malvi |
| Maharashtra | Mumbai | Marathi | Hindi, Konkani, English |
| Manipur | Imphal | Meitei (Manipuri) | English, Tangkhul, Paite |
| Meghalaya | Shillong | English | Khasi, Garo |
| Mizoram | Aizawl | Mizo | English, Hindi |
| Nagaland | Kohima | English | Ao, Angami, Sema |
| Odisha | Bhubaneswar | Odia | Kui, Santali, Hindi |
| Punjab | Chandigarh | Punjabi | Hindi, English |
| Rajasthan | Jaipur | Hindi | Rajasthani dialects, Sindhi |
| Sikkim | Gangtok | Nepali | Bhutia, Lepcha, Limbu |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai | Tamil | Telugu, Kannada, Urdu, English |
| Telangana | Hyderabad | Telugu, Urdu | Hindi, English |
| Tripura | Agartala | Bengali, Kokborok | Manipuri, English |
| Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow | Hindi | Urdu, Awadhi, Bhojpuri |
| Uttarakhand | Dehradun | Hindi | Garhwali, Kumaoni |
| West Bengal | Kolkata | Bengali | Nepali, Hindi, Santali |
Languages of Union Territories
The Union Territories of India are equally diverse, often recognizing more than one language:
| Union Territory | Capital | Official Language(s) |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Port Blair | Hindi, English |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh | Hindi, Punjabi |
| Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu | Daman | Gujarati, Hindi |
| Delhi (NCT) | New Delhi | Hindi, English |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Srinagar/Jammu | Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Hindi, English |
| Ladakh | Leh | Ladakhi, Hindi, English |
| Lakshadweep | Kavaratti | Malayalam |
| Puducherry | Puducherry | Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, English |
Why Do States in India Have Different Languages?
Languages didn’t emerge overnight—they are shaped by centuries of history, migration, and culture. In India, geography played a huge role too. The Himalayas, deserts, and coastlines created natural barriers, allowing communities to evolve distinct languages and dialects.
- History of kingdoms: Ancient rulers promoted their regional languages through literature and administration.
- Colonial rule: English became a link language during the British period and still plays that role.
- Cultural identity: For many Indians, language is more than communication—it’s a marker of identity and pride.
This is why a Tamil speaker from Chennai, a Bengali from Kolkata, and a Kashmiri from Srinagar may speak completely different tongues, yet all feel equally Indian.
How Many Languages Are Spoken in India Today?
- 22 Scheduled languages enjoy official recognition.
- 121 languages are widely spoken by large groups.
- 19,500 dialects enrich the cultural fabric.
Think about it: a train journey across India is like traveling through several countries at once, with each stop introducing you to a new language.
Fun and Fascinating Facts
- Sanskrit is regarded as the mother of many Indian languages and one of the world’s oldest.
- Hindi is spoken by more than 40% of the population.
- Bengali holds the second spot, with millions of speakers in West Bengal and beyond.
- Tamil and Telugu have some of the richest classical literatures still alive today.
States like Telangana and Puducherry officially recognize two or more languages.
The Role of Language in Indian Culture
Every Indian language carries centuries of poetry, folk songs, proverbs, and oral traditions. In Kerala, Malayalam literature reflects temple culture and maritime trade. In Punjab, Punjabi folk music and poetry mirror the state’s agricultural roots. In Bengal, the Bengali language was central to the freedom movement and literary renaissance.
When we talk about languages of Indian states, we are really talking about the living heartbeat of each region.
In conclusion, India doesn’t just tolerate linguistic diversity—it celebrates it. From Hindi in Uttar Pradesh to Tamil in Tamil Nadu, from Gujarati in Gujarat to Kashmiri in the valleys of J&K, every language is a piece of India’s cultural puzzle.
As of 2025, the connection between Indian states and languages continues to shape the country’s identity. It reminds us that while we may speak in different tongues, together we form one nation with a shared spirit of unity in diversity.