The correct option is Hindi.
Explanation
The linguistic demographics of India are officially recorded during the decennial Census. While the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution lists 22 recognized languages, the data regarding the proportion of speakers is derived from the Census of India (2011).
Analysis of Linguistic Demographics (Census 2011):
- Hindi: It is the most widely spoken language in India, spoken by approximately 43.63% of the total population. It serves as the mother tongue for a significant portion of the populace in North and Central India.
- Bengali: It is the second most spoken language, accounting for approximately 8.03% of the population.
- Marathi: It ranks third, spoken by approximately 6.86% of the population.
- Telugu: It ranks fourth, spoken by approximately 6.70% of the population.
Key Takeaway:
Hindi is the most spoken language in India, followed by Bengali and Marathi. These languages are listed under the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.