CBSE 2024 · Region 2 · Set 1 · Q36

Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow : Linguistic diversity of India How many languages do we have in India ? The answer depends on how one counts it. The latest information that we have is from the Census of India held in 2011. This census recorded more than $\displaystyle 1300$ distinct languages which people mentioned as their mother tongues. These languages were grouped together under some major languages. For example, languages like Bhojpuri, Magadhi, Bundelkhandi, Chhattisgarhi, Rajasthani and many others were grouped together under 'Hindi'. Even after this grouping, the Census found $\displaystyle 121$ major languages. Of these, $\displaystyle 22$ languages are now included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution and are therefore called 'Scheduled Languages'. Others are called 'Non-Scheduled Languages'. In terms of languages, India is perhaps the most diverse country in the world. ($\displaystyle 36.1$) How many languages were recorded as mother tongues in the $\displaystyle 2011$ Census of India ? ($\displaystyle 36.2$) How were the languages grouped together in the Census report ? ($\displaystyle 36.3$) How does the inclusion of languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution contribute to linguistic diversity ? Explain.