Top 10 most spoken languages in India

Precious Rongmei, TIMESOFINDIA.COM, TRAVEL TRENDS, INDIA Updated : Jul 25, 2024, 10:22 IST

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Top 10 most spoken languages in India

India boasts immense linguistic diversity, with thousands of languages spoken across its vast expanse. Among these, a few are notable for their large number of native speakers. These ten languages exemplify India's incredible linguistic diversity, each uniquely contributing to the country's cultural and historical tapestry. Based on the latest available census data, here are the top 10 most spoken languages in India:

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Hindi

Hindi tops the list as the most widely spoken language in India, with over 528 million native speakers. It serves as the official language of the central government and is the primary language in several northern and central states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.

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Bengali

With more than 97 million speakers, Bengali is the second most widely spoken language in India. It is mainly spoken in the state of West Bengal and the northeastern states. Bengali is celebrated for its rich literary heritage, which includes the works of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.

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Marathi

Marathi, with over 83 million speakers, is the official language of Maharashtra. It also has significant numbers of speakers in neighboring states. Marathi literature and cinema are widely appreciated, contributing to the cultural richness of the language.

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Telugu

Telugu, spoken by over 81 million people, is predominantly used in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Celebrated for its classical literature and poetry, Telugu holds a prominent position in India's linguistic landscape.

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Tamil

Tamil, with over 69 million speakers, is predominantly spoken in Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry. It is also an official language in Sri Lanka and Singapore. Tamil is one of the oldest living languages in the world, with a rich tradition of literature and culture.

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Gujarati

Gujarati, spoken by over 55 million people, is the official language of Gujarat. It has a significant presence in the Indian diaspora, especially in the United States and the United Kingdom. Gujarati literature and cuisine are well-known and cherished.

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Urdu

Urdu has over 50 million speakers and is widely spoken across India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana, and West Bengal. It is known for its poetic tradition and elegant script.

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Kannada

With over 43 million speakers, Kannada is the official language of Karnataka. The language boasts a rich literary tradition, and Karnataka is home to a vibrant film industry that produces numerous Kannada-language movies each year.

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Odia

Odia, spoken by over 37 million people, is the official language of Odisha. It has been recognised as a classical language due to its long history and literary tradition. Odia literature and classical music are integral parts of the state's cultural identity.

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Malayalam

Malayalam, with over 34 million speakers, is primarily spoken in Kerala and the Union Territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry. Known for its unique script and rich literary tradition, Malayalam is also the language of Kerala's thriving film industry.