The table below lists the 22 languages set out in the Eighth Schedule as of May 2008, together with the regions where they are used. Even though the English language is not included in the Eighth Schedule (as it is a foreign language), it is one of the official languages of the Union of India.

**The Indian Constitution and Languages**

According to the Indian Constitution, there are 22 scheduled languages recognized in India. These languages are given official status and are used for various purposes, including legislation, education, and communication. Let's explore this in detail:

**1. Language Policy in the Constitution:**
The language policy in the Indian Constitution is outlined in Part XVII, which deals with the Official Language. Article 343 declares Hindi written in Devanagari script as the official language of the Indian government. However, it also recognizes the importance of preserving and promoting the diverse languages used in different parts of the country.

**2. Eighth Schedule:**
The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution lists the languages that are recognized as scheduled languages. Initially, when the Constitution was adopted in 1950, there were 14 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule. These languages were Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, and Sanskrit.

**3. Amendments and New Additions:**
Over the years, the Constitution has been amended to include more languages in the Eighth Schedule. The 21st Amendment Act of 1967 added Sindhi as the 15th language, and the 71st Amendment Act of 1992 added three more languages: Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali.

**4. Modern Additions:**
Since then, more languages have been included in the Eighth Schedule. These include Bodo, Santhali, Maithili, Dogri, and others. The most recent addition was made in 2004 when four languages - Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali - were included, bringing the total to 22 scheduled languages.

**5. Significance of Scheduled Languages:**
The recognition of scheduled languages is important for the preservation of linguistic diversity and the promotion of cultural heritage. It ensures that different linguistic communities have access to education, government services, and legal proceedings in their respective languages.

In conclusion, the Indian Constitution recognizes 22 scheduled languages. These languages are given official status and are listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. The inclusion of these languages ensures the preservation of linguistic diversity and promotes cultural heritage in India.