List of All 28 Indian States, Capitals & Official Languages (Table)
The 28 states of India and their languages reflect the country’s incredible linguistic diversity. This topic is important for school and competitive exams, map questions, projects, and general knowledge. Understanding which state has which language will help you answer MCQs, prepare for interviews, and appreciate India’s unique federal structure.
| State | Capital | Official Language(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Amaravati | Telugu |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar | English |
| Assam | Dispur | Assamese, Bodo, Bengali |
| Bihar | Patna | Hindi, Urdu |
| Chhattisgarh | Raipur | Hindi, Chhattisgarhi |
| Goa | Panaji | Konkani |
| Gujarat | Gandhinagar | Gujarati |
| Haryana | Chandigarh | Hindi |
| Himachal Pradesh | Shimla | Hindi |
| Jharkhand | Ranchi | Hindi |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru | Kannada |
| Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram | Malayalam |
| Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal | Hindi |
| Maharashtra | Mumbai | Marathi |
| Manipur | Imphal | Manipuri (Meitei) |
| Meghalaya | Shillong | English, Khasi, Garo |
| Mizoram | Aizawl | Mizo, English, Hindi |
| Nagaland | Kohima | English |
| Odisha | Bhubaneswar | Odia |
| Punjab | Chandigarh | Punjabi |
| Rajasthan | Jaipur | Hindi |
| Sikkim | Gangtok | English, Nepali, Sikkimese, Lepcha |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai | Tamil |
| Telangana | Hyderabad | Telugu, Urdu |
| Tripura | Agartala | Bengali, Kokborok, English |
| Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow | Hindi, Urdu |
| Uttarakhand | Dehradun | Hindi, Sanskrit |
| West Bengal | Kolkata | Bengali, Nepali (in Darjeeling region) |
List of 28 States of India and Their Official Languages
What are the 28 states of India and their languages? The table above lists each Indian state, its capital, and its official language(s) as per the Constitution of India (2024). This is useful for quick exam revision, map work, and understanding how language policy works at the state level.
What Are Official Languages of Indian States?
Official languages are those used by state governments for communication, education, and administration. India has 22 “scheduled languages” in the Constitution, but each state decides its own official language(s). Some states, like Sikkim or Meghalaya, have more than one due to linguistic diversity. There is no national language in India; Hindi and English are used for central government business. The Constitution of India provides the legal basis for these arrangements.
Language Distribution Across India
India’s language map shows north Indian states using mostly Hindi, while southern and eastern states use Dravidian (like Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada) or regional languages (like Bengali, Marathi, Odia, Assamese). The northeast is especially diverse, with English as the official language in states like Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, and tribal languages having state recognition in others.
Why Do States Have Different Languages?
State boundaries were reorganized after independence based on language—this is called linguistic reorganization. For example, Andhra Pradesh was created for Telugu speakers. States like Telangana added Urdu as official due to population diversity. This ensures people can use their mother tongue for studies, government work, and social identity.
Language, Indian Polity, and Exams
Knowing the official languages of each state is important for exams like UPSC, SSC, and state board tests. It also helps in understanding questions about governance, federalism, and diversity in Indian politics. This knowledge is a must-have for map-based questions and social science projects.
Recent Changes and Facts about State Languages
- Telangana was formed in 2014; both Telugu and Urdu are now official languages.
- Several states recognize English, especially for administration and judiciary use.
- Some states (like Sikkim and Meghalaya) list more than one official language.
- India's states can update their list of official languages based on local needs.
Real Life and Practical Importance
Official languages affect schooling, state jobs, legal rights, and government exams. For example, students in Maharashtra must learn Marathi; government notifications are issued in the state language. Job exams and interviews often test your awareness of these facts. Use this information for daily life, academic projects, and current affairs discussions.
- For a deeper understanding of language policy, see Federation and Diverse Democracy.
- Details about state governments: Indian State Chief Ministers and Governors.
At Vedantu, we believe that making geography and polity easy empowers students to succeed in exams and understand society better.
Page Summary: The official languages of India’s 28 states illustrate the country’s commitment to linguistic diversity. Their understanding is crucial for exams, academic projects, and daily awareness. This topic helps students revise quickly, prepares them for MCQs and map questions, and explains how language influences governance in India.
FAQs on 28 States of India and Their Official Languages
1. What are the 28 states of India and their official languages?
India has 28 states, each with one or more official languages. This reflects the country's rich linguistic diversity. A complete list is available in the table on this page, detailing each state, its capital, and its official language(s).
2. What is the language of all 28 states?
There isn't one single language for all 28 states of India. India's linguistic landscape is incredibly diverse. Each state has its own official language(s), often reflecting the regional majority language, though some states have multiple official languages.
3. What are the 28 states of India?
India comprises 28 states. A complete list, along with their capitals and official languages, can be found in the comprehensive table on this page. This table provides a quick reference for Indian Polity and geography studies.
4. What are the 29 languages in India?
While there are many languages spoken in India, the number 29 isn't directly connected to official state designations. India recognizes 22 scheduled languages under the Constitution, while individual states have their own official languages, which may or may not be among the 22 scheduled languages.
5. What are the 22 languages in India?
The Constitution of India recognizes 22 scheduled languages. These are not necessarily the only languages spoken, nor are they the only official languages at the state level. The 22 scheduled languages represent a significant part of India's linguistic diversity.
6. Are there 700 languages in India?
While the exact number is debated, many languages and dialects exist in India. While the claim of 700 languages may be an exaggeration, India's linguistic diversity is substantial. The official figure is 22 scheduled languages in the Constitution.
7. Is Hindi the national language of India?
No, India does not have a single national language. While Hindi is widely spoken and designated as one of the official languages at the national level, along with English, it's not the sole or overarching national language. Many other languages hold official status within their respective states.
8. How many languages are officially recognized in Indian states?
The number of officially recognized languages varies by state. Each state designates its own official language(s). Some states have only one, while others may have multiple, reflecting the linguistic diversity within those regions. The detailed information for each state is shown in the table provided on the page.
9. Can Indian states have more than one official language?
Yes, many Indian states have more than one official language. This reflects the linguistic realities on the ground, acknowledging the presence of multiple significant language groups within a single state. The table on this page highlights the states with more than one official language.
10. Where can I download the 28 states and languages PDF?
A downloadable PDF version of the state and language chart is available [Link to PDF would go here]. This provides a convenient offline resource for quick reference and exam preparation.
11. What is the difference between a mother tongue and an official language?
A mother tongue is the language a person learns at home and uses from a young age. An official language is designated by the government for use in official matters like administration, education, and legal proceedings. These can be, but are not always, the same.
