India is a melting pot of diverse cultures and languages. According to several surveys, like the People’s Linguistic Survey of India, the country has one of the highest number of languages in the world. Though the Constitution of the country recognizes 22 scheduled Indian languages, there are over 500 local languages, including regional dialects and more than 1600 mother tongues.
In this blog, we will explore the most common and fastest-growing Indian languages of 2025.
Most spoken languages in India
Hindi
Hindi tops our list as the most common and fastest-growing language in India. As one of the official languages of India, Hindi is widely spoken in the northern and western parts. Amassing over 500 million speakers, Hindi is rapidly growing with a 25% increase since 2001. Written in Devanagari script, Hindi has evolved over centuries and has been influenced by various languages, like Sanskrit and Awadhi.
Since the turn of the 21st century, India has become a global hub for international businesses. Hindi, being the dominant language of the country, serves as an efficient tool for these international businesses. They seek to communicate with natives in Hindi for higher engagement and hire Professional Translation Agencies.
For example, when McDonald’s, an American fast-food company, wanted to establish its base in northern India, it hired a Translation Company in Delhi. With this collaboration, McDonald’s translated menus, posters, press releases, and websites into Hindi for greater brand acceptance and growth in the region.
Bengali
Bengali ranks second in our list, with just over 250 million speakers. It is not just a commonly spoken language in the Indian state of West Bengal, but also the official language of Bangladesh. Widely regarded as “the sweetest language,” Bengali has roots in the ancient Indo-Aryan language group and is steeped in cultural significance.
A massive Bengali-speaking population acts as an effective consumer base for brands entering West Bengal. Bengalis are deeply connected to their language and are less reciprocating towards other languages. So, brands ensure that all their marketing content, advertisements, product descriptions, and other outreach materials are translated into Bengali and curated according to the Indian market.
LOOKING TO ACCURATELY TRANSLATE YOUR CONTENT IN A SPECIFIC INDIAN LANGUAGE?
Then reach out to us and satisfy all your linguistic needs!
Telugu
The Telugu language is one of the Dravidian languages, spoken by over 96 million people. Apart from being one of the 22 scheduled languages in India, Telugu is also the official language of the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Additionally, it is also recognized as the official language of the Union Territory of Puducherry.
However, unlike the rich Deccan linguistic diversity, the legal landscape of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is complex. The local courts only accept documents in the Telugu language, and it becomes difficult for outsiders to operate freely in the region. Individuals and businesses alike require professionally certified translations to convert official documents like court papers, wills, testimonies, trade licenses, and merger agreements into Telugu. These translated documents contain a stamp of validity to make them acceptable in courts.
Do you want to learn the different ways in which professional translations provide Indian language solutions? Then check out this blog: Mastering Translation Services for India’s Local Languages!
Marathi
Marathi, a diversely spoken language in western India, has several dialects and a rich cultural significance. Some local dialects of the language include Varadhi, Zadi Boli, Thanjavur Marathi, and the most popular, Konkani. Predominantly spoken by the Marathi people of Maharashtra, some natives can also be found in Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Madhya Pradesh. This rich geographical diversity has made it a popular language and amassed over 83 million speakers in India.
Marathi and Hindi share some linguistic similarities; however, Marathi people prefer to absorb content in their own language. The Marathi-speaking community feels that their language is their identity and hence prefers to engage with businesses that provide content adapted to their culture.
For example, Bigg Boss, a popular Hindi reality show, started a new show called Bigg Boss Marathi. The production house collaborated with reputed translation companies and localized their approach to make it culturally fit for Marathi-speaking regions. This involved translating scripts, dubbing advertisements, and sharing press releases in the Marathi language. Upon launch, the show became a hit and recorded one of the highest-ever TRPs of 2.4 TVR.
Tamil
A major Dravidian language, Tamil is primarily spoken in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. What’s more interesting is that Tamil is also widely spoken in some other countries, such as Fiji, Réunion, Mauritius, Indonesia, Trinidad and Tobago, Malaysia, and most popularly in Sri Lanka. Tamil is also considered one of the oldest surviving languages, with a rich history spanning over 2500 years.
As a language spoken both regionally and globally, brands often opt for Indian language translation companies to convert materials into Tamil. These language service providers offer native Tamil linguists familiar with the local culture. Global brands, like Coca-Cola, Samsung, and Volkswagen, ensure that their content is converted into accurate and engaging Tamil while maintaining legal compliance.
Translate Professionally with Experts!
Be it Hindi or Tamil, legal or automotive, Somya Translators is your one-stop destination for all translation needs. Certified under ISO 17100:2015, we have collaborated with all kinds of businesses and assisted them in establishing a competitive presence in India. Our top-tier Indian language solutions, highly satisfactory customer services, and world-class native linguists help us provide exceptional results, making us a dominant player in the translation industry.
Some other Indian languages we offer solutions for are:
- Bhili
- Kashmiri
- Meitei
- Gujarati
- Manipuri
- Punjabi
- Malayalam
And much more.
So, if you want your content to resonate with Indian consumers, then reach out to us, and together we can create a fruitful and lasting partnership.