The official languages of Delhi are Hindi and English, with Hindi being the primary language for most official work and English used extensively in higher courts and central government functions, while Urdu and Punjabi are recognized as second official languages, supporting multilingualism in the capital.
More than 80% of the Delhi population speaks Hindi. The remaining population prefers Punjabi, Bengali, Urdu, and others. Just like any other region of India, English is the most common foreign language preferred.
The move aligns with "The Delhi Official Languages Act, 2000", which recognises Hindi as the first official language and Urdu and Punjabi as the second official languages.
Punjabi is a major language spoken in India, primarily in the state of Punjab, where it serves as the official language. It is also recognized as an additional official language in Haryana and Delhi. With around 31.14 million speakers, Punjabi ranks as the 11th most widely spoken language in India.
EU chief Ursula arrives in New Delhi, to be chief guest for India’s 77th Republic Day
What are the 7 names of Delhi?
Although the capital of ancient dynasties, Delhi steps into the light of history, with fully recorded facts of its past mainly available towards the end of the first millennium (circa 1000 AD), with the establishment of seven historic cities - LalKot (Qila Rai Pithora), Siri, Tughlaqabad, Jahanpanah, Ferozabad, ...
This is further evident in West Delhi, where Hindi is reported as the first language of 75.46% of the population, while Punjabi is spoken by only 14.52%, despite ethnic Punjabis making up an estimated 60% of the district's population.
**: Tamil has older attested written records (3rd century BCE vs. 4th century CE for Kannada), making it the oldest in terms of documented literature. However, both languages stem from Proto-Dravidian, a hypothesized ancestor spoken around 4,000–5,000 years ago.
Hindi, the language most commonly spoken as a mother tongue (primary language) in India, serves as the lingua franca across much of north and central India. Bengali is the second most commonly spoken primary language, with a significant number of speakers in eastern and northeastern regions.
Nineteen-year-old Mahmood Akram from India has amazed the world by mastering 400 languages while simultaneously pursuing multiple university degrees. His linguistic journey began early under the guidance of his father, a linguistics expert, and by the age of six, he had already surpassed his mentor's knowledge.
Papua New Guinea has the most languages in the world – over 800. Indonesia isn't far behind with over 700. Languages are spread unequally throughout the world. That trend is clear whether we're looking at whole regions or individual countries.
When someone greets you with 'namaste,' the most common response is to say 'namaste' back. This mirrors the respect and acknowledgment given to you. If you're not comfortable using the term, it's perfectly okay to respond with a simple hello or your usual greeting.
Delhi is a symbol of India's culturally rich past and thriving present. Apart from being a political centre of India, Delhi is also a commercial, transport and cultural hub, making it a city most cherished and visited by all.
There's no single "No. 1" food, but Butter Chicken, Biryani, and comfort foods like Khichdi, Dal, and street snacks like Samosas and Chaat are globally and nationally beloved, with rice and lentils forming daily staples, showcasing India's vast culinary diversity from rich curries to vibrant street eats.
Street meat in India is generally best avoided, unless you are visiting places that are especially famous for their meat dishes. You do not know where the meat is coming from, and there are a lot of factors that can spoil the meat. If you are confused, you can always opt for vegetarian food.
