New Delhi: Today, January 10, 2026, Indians across the globe are celebrating Vishwa Hindi Diwas (World Hindi Day).1 From school children in Delhi to diplomats in New York, everyone is coming together to honor the language that connects millions.
This year, the celebrations are special because they focus on the future. The day is not just about literature anymore; it is about how Hindi is adapting to the modern world of technology. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders have extended their warm wishes, urging the youth to take pride in their mother tongue.
Here is everything you need to know about World Hindi Day 2026, its unique theme, and why it is different from the Hindi Diwas celebrated in September.
The 2026 Theme: Hindi Meets AI
Every year, a special theme is chosen to guide the celebrations. For 2026, the theme is “Hindi: From Traditional Knowledge to Artificial Intelligence” (हिंदी: पारंपरिक ज्ञान से कृत्रिम बुद्धिमत्ता तक).
- What it means: This theme highlights that Hindi is not just a language of the past. It is evolving to become a language of the future.
- Focus Area: The government and tech companies are working to make Hindi more compatible with AI tools, coding, and digital platforms. The goal is to ensure that a Hindi speaker can use modern technology as easily as an English speaker.
PM Modi’s Message to the World
On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a special message for Hindi lovers worldwide. He called Hindi a “powerful medium” that connects different cultures and carries India’s rich heritage.
In his message, PM Modi said, “The growing respect for Hindi on the global stage is a matter of pride and inspiration for all of us.” He encouraged the Indian diaspora (NRIs) to keep using Hindi in their daily lives to stay connected to their roots while living abroad.
Why is it Celebrated on January 10? (History)
Many people ask why we celebrate Hindi Day in January.
- The Origin: On January 10, 1975, the first World Hindi Conference was held in Nagpur, Maharashtra.7 It was inaugurated by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.8+1
- Official Declaration: Years later, in 2006, former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh officially declared January 10 as “World Hindi Day” to mark the anniversary of that first conference.9
- Objective: Unlike National Hindi Diwas, which is about the official language status within India, World Hindi Day is about promoting Hindi globally as an international language.10
Difference Between Jan 10 and Sept 14
There is often confusion between the two “Hindi Days.” Here is the simple difference:
| Feature | World Hindi Day (Vishwa Hindi Diwas) | National Hindi Diwas |
| Date | January 10 | September 14 |
| Reason | Anniversary of 1st World Hindi Conference (1975). | Day Hindi was adopted as Official Language (1949). |
| Focus | Promoting Hindi globally (outside India). | Promoting Hindi within India (govt usage). |
Hindi: A Global Powerhouse
Hindi is no longer just an Indian language; it is a global force.11
- Rank: It is the third most spoken language in the world, with over 600 million speakers.12
- Countries: Apart from India, Hindi is widely spoken and understood in Nepal, Mauritius, Fiji, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, and the USA.
- Digital Growth: Hindi content consumption on the internet is growing faster than English, making it a priority for companies like Google and Meta.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the theme of World Hindi Day 2026?
The theme for 2026 is “Hindi: From Traditional Knowledge to Artificial Intelligence,” focusing on bridging the gap between ancient wisdom and modern technology.
Q2: Is World Hindi Day the same as Hindi Diwas?
No. World Hindi Day is on January 10 to promote Hindi globally.14 National Hindi Diwas is on September 14 to mark its adoption as India’s official language.
Q3: Who started World Hindi Day?
Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh officially declared January 10 as World Hindi Day in 2006.
Q4: Which was the first country to host the World Hindi Conference?
India hosted the first conference in Nagpur on January 10, 1975.
Q5: How many people speak Hindi in the world?
It is estimated that over 600 million people speak Hindi worldwide, making it the third most spoken language after English and Mandarin.
Q6: Why is Hindi important for AI?
To make technology accessible to millions of Indians, AI tools need to understand and generate accurate Hindi. This year’s theme focuses on training AI models with correct Hindi data.