Before we do so, let’s give some context by flashing back to 1947. India shook off the shackles of British rule to gain independence. The aftermath? British India underwent a historic partition, resulting in the birth of two nations, India and Pakistan.

Fast forward to 1950. India officially declared itself a republic with the adoption of its Constitution. Ever since, Indian Republic Day is celebrated with parades, speeches, and cultural events. And that means lashings of linguistic spice.

India’s Language Landscape

The languages of India play a crucial role in an interconnected world where boundaries continue to blur. In fact, it’s fair to refer to India as a linguistic melting pot, with its diverse languages, religions, and cultures.

According to Indian exam provider StudyIQ Education in its National Language of India article: “India, behind Papua New Guinea (840), has the second-highest number of languages, according to the People’s Linguistic Survey of India (780).”

“The phrase “Indian language changes every few kilometres just like the water” is true when referring to the country’s language,” it added.

While Hindi and English are used for official purposes, 22 of India’s languages are recognised as official languages. They are:

• Assamese
• Bengali
• Bod
• Dogri
• Gujarati
• Hindi
• Kannada
• Kashmiri
• Konkani
• Maithili
• Malayalam
• Manipuri
• Marathi
• Nepali
• Odia
• Punjabi
• Sanskrit
• Santali
• Sindhi
• Tamil
• Telugu
• Urdu

These languages are testament to the rich tapestry of Indian heritage. But there’s also something highly future forward about them.

Why Indian Languages Matters in 2024

India is the world’s second most populous country. In addition, it’s also a dynamic player in global affairs. This is why Indian languages are key assets, promoting cultural exchange and international collaboration.

It’s no wonder the languages of India continue to thrive in a rapidly shrinking world. Accordingly, India’s language-scape is an adventure waiting to unfold, for business, travel or sheer curiosity about the world.

At la Academia, we take pride in teaching all languages. That means all Indian languages too. So, get in touch if you’ve already got an Indian language in mind, or if you’re not sure about the best languages to learn for specific states.