The latest information that we have is from the census of India held in 2001. This census recorded more than 1500 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, Bhili and many others were grouped together under 'Hindi'. Even after this grouping, the Census found 114 major languages. Of these 22 languages are now included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution and are therefore, called the 'Scheduled languages'. Others are called 'non-Scheduled' languages. In terms of languages, India is perhaps the most diverse country in the world.
The largest language, Hindi, is the mother tongue of only about 40 per cent Indians. If we add to that all those who knew Hindi as their second or third language, the total number was still less than 50 per cent in 1991. As for English, only 0.02 per cent Indians had recorded it as their mother tongue. Another 11 per cent knew it as second or third language.

I. Three Subjects of the Union List:
1. defence
2. foreign affairs 
3. Currency 

II. Three subjects of the State List:
1. Maintaining law and order within the state.
2. Public health.
3. Trade and commerce within the state.

III. Three subjects of the Concurrent List:
1. Education.
2. Criminal and civil procedure.
3. Marriage and divorce.

India has three tier government system, i.e. at the centre level, at the state level and the local level.
This new system of local government is the largest experiment in democracy conducted anywhere in the world. There are now about 36 lakh elected representatives in the Panchayats and municipalities all over the country. This number is bigger than the population of many countries in the world. Constitutional status for local self-government has helped deepening democracy in our country. It has also increased women's representation and voice in our democracy.

Problems of Local Government: There are many difficulties. While elections are held regularly and enthusiastically, gram sabhas are not held regularly. Most state governments have not transferred significant powers to the local self-governments. Nor have they given adequate resources. We are thus still a long way from realising the ideal of self-government.

The features of Indian Federalism are :
(i) Two tier system of government. Third tier added subsequently to government is that of Local Self-Government or Panchayati Raj through Zila Parishad and municipality.
(ii) Three organs of Government are: (a) Legislature, (b) Executive and (c) Judiciary.
(iii) Three lists containing subjects to be ruled are union list, state list and concurrent list. Residuary powers are also with the Central Government.

A major step towards decentralisation was taken in 1992. The Constitution was amended to make the third tier of democracy more powerful and effective.

(i) Now it is constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to the local government bodies.

(ii) Seats are reserved in the elected bodies and the executive heads of these institutions for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes.
(iii) At least one-third of all posts are reserved for women.

(iv) An independent institution called the State Election Commission has been created in each state to conduct the panchayat and municipal elections.

(v) The state governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies. The nature of sharing powers varies from state to state.