Correct Option
The correct option is 2 only.
Explanation
Part XVII of the Constitution of India (Articles 343 to 351) contains detailed provisions regarding the Official Language of the Union, Regional Languages, and the languages of the judiciary. These provisions reflect the linguistic diversity and federal structure of the country.
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Constitution of India does not declare any language as the "National Language." Under Article 343, Hindi written in Devanagari script is designated as the Official Language of the Union. The Constitution specifies languages for official purposes (administration, judiciary, legislation) rather than assigning a national symbolic status to one language.
Statement 2 is Correct: The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution currently lists 22 languages. Since Hindi is included in this schedule, there are exactly 21 other languages recognized alongside it. Originally, the schedule contained 14 languages; subsequent amendments (21st, 71st, and 92nd) added languages such as Sindhi, Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali, Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: States are not prohibited from having their own official languages. Article 345 empowers the Legislature of a State to adopt any one or more of the languages in use in the State or Hindi as the language to be used for all or any of the official purposes of that State. This provision ensures linguistic autonomy for the states within the federal framework.
Key Takeaway: India has no constitutionally declared National Language; Hindi is the Official Language of the Union. States retain the federal right to adopt their own official languages based on regional usage.