The Scope of Learning Arabic in India

Learning the Arabic language has dramatically expanded the career scope in India. This article will explore the benefits, demands, courses, and job opportunities after studying Arabic.

There are several reasons to learn a foreign tongue. As the nature of global business changes, so do the languages used to communicate in the business process.

For many, acquiring a new foreign language opens the door to several other activities, like international travel, studying abroad, pursuing a hobby, career advancement, and meeting people from different parts of the world.

Cultural aspects, immigration, and careers requiring languages are some of the most influential factors in choosing a language to learn.

Why Learn the Arabic Language in India?

Why learn Arabic of all languages?

Why not French, Spanish, or German? Or even Mandarin, Korean, or Japanese? Because it seems to be the most practical language to have these days, living in India or even abroad?

Arabic is the fifth most spoken language after Spanish, Hindi, Mandarin Chinese, and English, with an estimated 425 million native and non-native speakers worldwide.

The Arabic language is assuming a central position in international business. One cannot underestimate its significance and importance in the modern world, and the scope of the Arabic language in India is growing and vast.

Are you interested in studying ancient Eastern history, modern Middle Eastern religion, or the Arab world? Learning the Arabic language will help you in your academic pursuits.

There are an increasing number of reasons why people should learn it. It is the language of the Holy Koran, which Muslims all over the world consider sacred.

The Arabic language in India arrived in the eighth century. It carries an almost absolute Islamic identity, to the extent that even the study of pre-Islamic pagan poetry is ascribed to a spiritual impetus.

In India, it is also taught and learned in more than twenty thousand Madrasas and hundreds of Colleges and Universities, mostly in the northern and some central and western parts of the country.

Arabic is becoming a critical language in and outside India for international businesses trying to penetrate foreign markets.

Learning the Arabic language opens up many employment avenues and possibilities in various industries, such as oil, travel, finance, industrial collaborations, and translation.

Some businesses want Arabic speakers onboard to contact local Arab people and obtain an edge when running a business. Otherwise, it might be missed if only English is used for interpretation and discussions.

It was introduced in the Indian Civil Services examination for the first time in 1963. From then on, it became an optional subject to be taken at the preliminary stage of the test.
And how do we know that?

Let’s examine the facts that underline the Arabic language’s scope and why many people are learning it in India.

1. A widely spoken language of historical importance

The Arabic language isn’t just like every other language out there. It is a popular language spoken by well over 400 million people spread across more than 25 countries globally. Most of these Arabic-speaking countries are in the Middle East and the Northern regions of Africa.

As of 2025, it is the official language in 25 Middle Eastern and African countries, such as Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Morocco, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and many more.

However, the language is even more critical because it is the language of the Holy Quran — the Holy Book of Islam.

So, if you are a Muslim, the scope of learning the Arabic language will put you in a better light of interacting and blending positively into the Islamic/Arabic culture — relating easily with millions of Muslims across the globe.

Although Arabic has been known since the early 4th century, its importance increased with the spread of Islam in the 7th century.

Today, Arabic is the 5th most spoken language globally and is among the United Nations’ (UN) sixth official languages.

India has ancient historical links with the Arab world and Persia. A number of dynasties from those parts of the world reigned over India for many centuries.

If you pay close attention, you will notice many borrowed words from Arabic, Persian, and Turkish as used in Hindu/Urdu, the most spoken language in most parts of India.

Read → (i) Why Learn Persian? (ii) Learn Persian in Delhi (iii) Arabic courses in Delhi (iv) Pros of learning Turkish (iv) Movies to learn Arabic (v) Top Persian Films (vi) Best Turkish Movies.

2. Arabic is a gateway to an economic wealth

Another critical aspect of learning Arabic in India lies in the large business and economic opportunities it offers.

Take a good look at many of the countries where the Arabic language is spoken. You will discover that they provide the Western world with vital resources like crude oil and gas.

In today’s world, Arabic is of utmost importance due to the economic significance of the oil-producing Arab countries in the global scenario. Most Arab-speaking countries are extremely rich in untapped mineral and natural resources.

Your ability to understand and speak Arabic will open doors to countless job opportunities involving languages, especially if you’re into the oil business boom.

Initiatives aimed at integrating the Arab world into the mainstream of the global economy are paying dividends in huge returns. These have led to the opening up of numerous potential business opportunities.

Thanks to the rapidly growing Arabic population and the modernization of the socio-economic, political, and infrastructural developmental strides, the demand for Arabic speakers is moving northwards across the globe.

The Arabic-speaking region now provides a vast export market for goods and services. Its GDP is more than 600 billion dollars yearly.

The Arab-speaking world has a lot more to offer the global market. To succeed in your business initiatives, you need to understand the language and culture of the people you will engage with.

3. A career-boosting language

A friend of mine once told me that Arabic is a language only terrorists love to speak. But how wrong he was when he came in contact with a job that paid him six figures in a month as a translator.

He missed out simply because he lacked proficiency in the Arabic language. That same week, he took classes in Arabic, but the damage had already been done, and that chance may never come again.

There is a great deal of demand for Arabic language speakers. For instance, many companies in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, and other cities seek Arabic speakers in the KPO & BPO sectors.

The reason is that most of these companies are involved in colossal business dealings with the Gulf region.

Other sectors, such as IT, Publishing, Aviation, Education, Finance and banking, Travel and tourism, business, and industries in India, are looking for people with proficiency in the Arabic language.

Since Arabic is a widespread language, you can find many positions in foreign embassies in India.

As the Middle East continues to accelerate in development, it has also attracted substantial investment opportunities.

Most Arabic-speaking countries’ economies are prosperous and developing at a fast pace. Qatar is the wealthiest country in the world, and it has attracted a lot of interest and visitors, mainly from the West.

These have opened up demand for career opportunities such as transcribers and translators in the Hospitality & Tourism sectors.

Export and import companies continue to look for people who can speak English and Arabic to handle their foreign clients and business engagements.

After learning Arabic, you can work as an Arabic language teacher or faculty.

You can also explore possibilities as a transcriptor, translator, interpreter, editor, proofreader, researcher, or content writer. You can work either as a freelance linguist or for any organization.

4. Job opportunities in the Middle East & Arab World

One reason many Indians are learning the Arabic language is to get jobs in the Middle East or other parts of the Arab world. There are many employment opportunities for people who are knowledgeable in Arabic and English.

If you have plans to visit an Arabic-speaking country such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, or Morocco, consider taking accelerated Arabic courses before you go.

By taking a class, you can quickly and conveniently learn the basics of the language, which will make your travels abroad less stressful and more enjoyable.

Learning the Arabic language will allow you to immerse yourself in a fascinating new culture. It may also help to change a few stereotypes, enhance your travels, and supplement your academic pursuits.

Gone are the days when the dream of petrol dollars was the only motivation driving people to study Arabic. Today, call center opportunities, finance and banking, journalism, and more are new career prospects that inform people’s decisions to learn the Arabic language.

5. Arabic is a language of strategic importance

In India, the Arabic language is one of the most sought-after subjects among defense personnel. As stated, the Middle East and the Gulf region are increasingly becoming strategic points for crucial nations worldwide, including India.

The United States has become active in the region for many years, increasing its presence. Russia has followed suit, and China voiced its interest in becoming more involved in the Middle East.

All these points to the region’s strategic importance. Why not, since it is blessed with a considerable concentration of mineral and natural resources? As such, these countries’ intelligence agencies are actively looking for people who can speak Arabic fluently.

Your proficiency in the Arabic language can earn you a job in the Indian Secret Service, immigration, or the Foreign Service department.

Arabic Language Courses in India

Arabic education in India is essentially the monopoly of madrassas, but there are several courses in various parts of India for non-Muslims who may be interested. Madrassas mainly teach Islamic theology and the Koran.

If you feel that you should learn the Arabic language for academic or career purposes, you have options. There are several ways to learn how to read, write, and speak.

You can attend a college or university and earn a degree in Arabic. Today, it has been taught for many decades and has found its place in more than 50 universities: JNU, University of Delhi, BHU, Jamia Millia Islamia, Kolkata University, Mumbai University, Bangalore University, and Osmania University, to name a few.

These centers now offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and Doctoral Degree Programs in the modern Arabic language.

Arabic is also part of the curriculum in many academic areas, such as Engineering, Mathematics, Philosophy, Biotechnology, Information Communication and Technology, Medical, Arts, Fine Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Literature, and Applied Sciences.

Many want to learn to pursue a hobby or the joy of learning. By studying Arabic at a college or university, you will gain complete knowledge of reading formal Arabic, which will undoubtedly assist you in your academic research and career.

Final thought

Arabic is a beautiful and musical language, and it is high time that appropriate action was taken to promote its growth.

There is a shortage of intellectuals when it comes to speaking Arabic. So, it’s almost a guarantee that you’ll most likely reap a huge benefit from it once you become proficient in the tongue.

By the beginning of the 21st century, the Arabic language demand in India had increased manifold, augmenting career prospects in various fields.