Official Languages of Government
The official languages of Pondicherry are Tamil (89%), Malayalam (4.8%), Telugu (2.9% Yanam) and French (1%). The status of each language varies by district. When communicating between districts of different languages, generally English is used for convenience.
- Tamil is used by the Pondicherry government, especially used when communicating within and between the Tamil majority districts (Pondicherry and Karikal) along with issuing official decrees. Telugu is widely spoken in Pondicherry, Karaikal and Yanam districts. Malayalam is spoken in Mahe and Pondicherry regions.
- French is also the official language of Pondicherry Union territory. It was the official language of French India (1673–1954) and its official language status was preserved by the Treaty of Cession signed by the Indian Union and the French Republic on 28 May 1956.
French remained as the de jure official language of Pondicherry U.T by the Article XXVIII of the Treaty of Cession, which states that:
"The French language shall remain the official language of the Establishments so long as the elected representatives of the people shall not decide otherwise"
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