Is there any National Language of India?

The internet is buzzing with a series of questions that require a technical explanation. To provide a comprehensive understanding, let's delve into the subject matter with a detailed and precise explanation.

As per the Constitution of India, there is no single national language designated. Hindi in Devanagari script is recognized as the official language of the Union, but it is not the national language. A recent order by the Supreme Court referring to Hindi as the national language has caused controversy, as there is no provision in the Constitution that declares any language as the national language. The Constitution recognizes 22 official languages under the Eighth Schedule and emphasizes linguistic diversity without singling out a national language. The misconception of Hindi being the national language has its roots in historical debates and attempts to promote Hindi as the sole official language, which faced opposition leading to the continuation of English as an official language alongside Hindi. The reference to Hindi as the national language by the Supreme Court highlights a misunderstanding, as the Constitution does not confer such a status on any language.