What is Official Languages of India?
The Official Languages of India are those languages that the Constitution of India has recognized to be used for official purposes of the Union government. Currently, there are 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution.
Historical Background
The issue of official languages was a contentious one during the drafting of the Constitution. Initially, Hindi was designated as the official language, but concerns were raised about its acceptance in non-Hindi speaking regions. A compromise was reached to allow the continued use of English for official purposes for a limited period.