55% Indians use expletives in everyday communication:  ICYMI report

A new report from ICYMI and the Gali Band campaign has laid bare what many Indians already know—and use—every day: India swears a lot, and Delhi leads the pack.

Titled “The Gaali Report: Pyaar Se, Gussa Se, Aadat Se”, the study reveals that 55% of Indians admit to using gaalis, or expletives, as part of everyday communication. From expressions of anger to terms of endearment, the report argues that gaalis have evolved into a unique cultural shorthand—used in jest, rage, affection, and habit.

“Gaalis aren’t just insults. In India, they’re emotion, punctuation, even identity,” the report notes.

Who’s Saying What and Where?

The report ranked Indian states by gaali usage, and Delhi topped the list, with a staggering 80% of respondents saying they use expletives regularly. Punjab (78%), Uttar Pradesh (74%), and Bihar (74%) followed closely.

At the opposite end of the spectrum are the Northeastern states and Union Territories, with Ladakh, J&K, and Meghalaya showing only 15% usage. The Northeast overall reported just 17%, the lowest in the country.

Regional Patterns Reveal More Than Language

North India (Avg. 69%): Leads the swearing chart, with gaalis embedded in everyday speech across cities and towns.

West India (Avg. 49%): Maharashtra (58%) and Gujarat (55%) reflect a Bollywood-influenced, slang-heavy culture.

East India (Avg. 45%): A more emotionally expressive region but with relatively less vulgarity.

South India (Avg. 41%): Gaalis are subtler, more sarcastic, and less aggressive.

Island Territories (Avg. 18.6%): Culturally restrained with smaller communities discouraging harsh language.

From Screens to Stump Mics

The rise of TV and cinema in the ’90s brought street talk indoors, and soon, Bollywood made gaalis cool. From Delhi Belly's “DK Bose” to Gangs of Wasseypur's poetic profanities, the screen became a reflection of the streets.

Cricket wasn’t far behind—stump mics caught raw emotion as Indian players swore in heat-of-the-moment exchanges, turning gaalis into viral soundbites.

Gaali as a Gendered Code

The report also highlights how gaalis have become a symbol of masculinity, often used as emotional shorthand among men. What might sound aggressive outside is seen as bonding inside a male friend circle or locker room.

A Habit Worth Breaking?

While gaalis might be normalised, the report raises the question: are they harmless fun or a toxic habit? It leaves readers to reflect—“Har baat pe gaali, har gaali mein baat”—are we expressing ourselves or simply defaulting to linguistic aggression?

The data for the report comes from the decade-long Gali Band Campaign (2014–2025) led by Prof. Sunil Jaglan, with ICYMI compiling the findings into a cultural deep-dive.