Multilingualism in India

Context: A study of 2011 Census data reveals that only 26.02% of Indians are bilingual and 7.1% are trilingual, raising concerns about the effectiveness of India’s three-language formula.

About Multilingualism in India:

Top & Bottom States for Multilingualism:

• Best Performing States (Bilingualism & Trilingualism Highest)

• Goa – 77.21% bilingual, 50.82% trilingual (only state where trilingualism exceeds 50%). Other high-ranked states: Arunachal Pradesh (64.03%), Sikkim (63.71%), Nagaland (62.15%), Maharashtra (51.1%).

• Goa – 77.21% bilingual, 50.82% trilingual (only state where trilingualism exceeds 50%).

• Other high-ranked states: Arunachal Pradesh (64.03%), Sikkim (63.71%), Nagaland (62.15%), Maharashtra (51.1%).

• Lowest Bilingualism & Trilingualism (Mainly Hindi-speaking States)

• Rajasthan (10.9%), Uttar Pradesh (11.45%), Bihar (12.82%), Chhattisgarh (13.25%), Madhya Pradesh (13.51%). These states also fall below 2% for trilingualism.

• Rajasthan (10.9%), Uttar Pradesh (11.45%), Bihar (12.82%), Chhattisgarh (13.25%), Madhya Pradesh (13.51%).

• These states also fall below 2% for trilingualism.

Common Language Combinations (Bilingual & Trilingual)

• Bilingual (Top Combinations in 2011 Census)

• Marathi-Hindi (3.47 crore) > Hindi-English (3.2 crore) > Gujarati-Hindi (2.17 crore). Tamil-English (1.23 crore) and Telugu-English (80.75 lakh) are the only non-Hindi combinations in the top 10.

• Marathi-Hindi (3.47 crore) > Hindi-English (3.2 crore) > Gujarati-Hindi (2.17 crore).

• Tamil-English (1.23 crore) and Telugu-English (80.75 lakh) are the only non-Hindi combinations in the top 10.

• Trilingual (Top Combinations in 2011 Census)

• Marathi-Hindi-English (1.01 crore) > Punjabi-Hindi-English (77.99 lakh) > Gujarati-Hindi-English (66.32 lakh).

Hindi as a Mother Tongue & Regional Distribution:

• 43.63% of Indians reported Hindi as their mother tongue.

• Less than 1% of people speak Hindi in 5 states/UTs, including Tamil Nadu & Kerala.

• Less than 5% speak Hindi in another 7 states/UTs, including Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka.

• Andhra Pradesh (including Telangana in 2011 Census) had the highest Hindi-speaking proportion in South India at 3.69%.

Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:

• General Studies Paper 1: Indian Society & Culture

• Linguistic diversity in India and its role in cultural identity & integration. Regional language disputes and the impact of language policies on education & society.

• Linguistic diversity in India and its role in cultural identity & integration.

• Regional language disputes and the impact of language policies on education & society.

• General Studies Paper 2: Indian Constitution & Governance

• Language policy under Article 343-351 of the Indian Constitution. Three-language formula & role of NEP 2020 in education policy. Federalism & Centre-State relations in linguistic administration.

• Language policy under Article 343-351 of the Indian Constitution.

• Three-language formula & role of NEP 2020 in education policy.

• Federalism & Centre-State relations in linguistic administration.

• Essay Paper

• “Multilingualism: A Strength or a Challenge for India?” “Language & National Integration in India”

• “Multilingualism: A Strength or a Challenge for India?”

• “Language & National Integration in India”