Who coined the phrase ‘Unity in Diversity’ to describe India?

'Unity in Diversity' is the descriptive maxim used for India's socio-cultural character — the idea that a nation with vast differences in language, religion, region and custom still functions as one integrated whole. Exam questions on modern Indian history frequently ask which national leader is credited with coining and popularising this specific phrase for India.

Jawaharlal Nehru is credited with coining and popularising this description of India. In his writings and speeches on Indian nationhood — most notably in 'The Discovery of India' — he framed the country's many languages, religions, and regional traditions as bound together within a single national identity, and this exact framing became a standard descriptor of India in later civics and general-knowledge material.

• B.R. Ambedkar's defining legacy is chairing the Constitution's Drafting Committee and championing social justice and Dalit rights — not coining this description of India's plural society.

• M.K. Gandhi is remembered for the principles of Satya (truth) and Ahimsa (non-violence) and for leading the mass Swaraj movement — not for coining this specific phrase.

• Rajendra Prasad is remembered as India's first President and for presiding over the Constituent Assembly — not for coining this description of India's plural society.

This attribution is confirmed by the official CTET Paper II (2019) answer key, which marks Jawaharlal Nehru as the correct response to this exact item.