TDIL Text-to-Speech API

Paid AndroidAPIExtensionWeb

Visit TDIL Text-to-Speech API Alternatives

What TDIL Text-to-Speech API is

TDIL Text-to-Speech API converts machine-readable text into spoken voice through a free, open-source resource. Voices are listed for Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Gujarati, Odia, Assamese, Manipuri, Kannada, Bodo, Rajasthani and Indian English. The API is available as a web service, and a framework jointly developed by C-DAC Mumbai and IIT Madras supports adding the voices to websites. TDIL says the speech systems use the open-source FESTIVOX framework with an HTS-based engine, and resources may be used under the CC-BY 4.0 license, including commercial use. Accessibility options include screen-reader speech for Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. Mozilla and Chrome plugins cover eight listed languages. The Sandesh Pathak Android SMS reader supports Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu and Gujarati. Live demonstrations are linked from the API page. The project belongs to India’s Technology Development for Indian Languages program under MeitY and aims to serve visually challenged people.

Who it suits

This API suits developers integrating Indian-language speech into websites, apps or accessibility tools. It also fits projects needing open-source resources and commercial-use permission.

What it does well

Free and open source
Commercial use permitted
Fourteen listed voice language options including Indian English
Website integration framework provided
Screen-reader support for six languages

What to know first

Language coverage differs by plugin and tool
Integration requires following the API steps
Some tools support fewer languages than the API

Verdict

TDIL Text-to-Speech API offers broad Indian-language voice coverage with website integration and open licensing. Its accessibility components and browser or Android tools extend use beyond a basic API, though language availability varies by component.

Facts from TDIL Text-to-Speech API's own pages

Accessibility: The site describes TTS integrated with a screen reader for visually challenged users, available in Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. · tdil-dc.in, 12 Oct 2026
Android app: Sandesh Pathak is an Android SMS reader listed for Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, and Gujarati. · tdil-dc.in, 12 Oct 2026
Android integration: TDIL reports a non-exclusive agreement with OS Labs India to integrate TTS in nine Indian languages into its Android-based First Touch regional operating system. · tdil-dc.in, 13 Oct 2026
API access: Yes · tdil-dc.in, 20 Sept 2026
Browser plugins: The site lists Mozilla and Chrome browser plugins for Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Odia, and Gujarati. · tdil-dc.in, 12 Oct 2026
Commercial use: Yes · tdil-dc.in, 20 Sept 2026
Contact: The TTS API page lists tdildc[at]cdac[dot]in as its email contact. · tdil-dc.in, 13 Oct 2026
Development: The TTS voices were developed by the Indian Language Text to Speech Consortium headed by IIT Madras as part of the TDIL programme under MeitY, Government of India. · tdil-dc.in, 13 Oct 2026
Framework developers: CDAC Mumbai and IIT Madras jointly developed the framework for integrating the voices into websites. · tdil-dc.in, 13 Oct 2026
Indian English: The TTS API page also lists Indian English among the voices developed by the consortium. · tdil-dc.in, 12 Oct 2026
Intended audience: The TTS research project states that it aims to deploy speech synthesis for visually challenged persons. · tdil-dc.in, 13 Oct 2026
Languages: The TTS API page describes voices for Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, Odia, Gujarati, Rajasthani, Assamese, Manipuri, Bodo, and Indian English. · tdil-dc.in, 13 Oct 2026
Maintainer: The TDIL portal footer says it is designed, developed, and maintained by CDAC GIST, Pune. · tdil-dc.in, 13 Oct 2026
Open source licensing: TDIL says the TTS system is completely open source and its resources may be used under the CC-BY 4.0 license. · tdil-dc.in, 13 Oct 2026
Platforms: web,android,chrome_extension,api · tdil-dc.in, 20 Sept 2026
Program: The product page places the work under India's Technology Development for Indian Languages program, under MeitY. · tdil-dc.in, 12 Oct 2026
Project consortium: The TTS API page says the Indian Language Text to Speech Consortium was headed by IIT Madras and that the website framework was jointly developed by C-DAC Mumbai and IIT Madras. · tdil-dc.in, 12 Oct 2026
Purpose: The TTS project converts normal language text into speech and aims to serve visually challenged persons. · tdil-dc.in, 13 Oct 2026
Support contact: The centre's homepage lists tdildc[at]cdac[dot]in as its email contact. · tdil-dc.in, 12 Oct 2026
Synthesis technology: The site says the TTS languages were developed using the open-source FESTIVOX framework and an HTS-based engine. · tdil-dc.in, 12 Oct 2026
Voice demo: The resource page says users can check TTS voice quality for Bengali, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, and Telugu. · tdil-dc.in, 13 Oct 2026
Web service: The TDIL home page says text-to-speech is available as a web service and links to a demo. · tdil-dc.in, 13 Oct 2026
Website API: The TDIL resource page describes a TTS API for websites and provides integration steps. · tdil-dc.in, 13 Oct 2026
Website integration: A framework developed jointly by CDAC Mumbai and IIT Madras integrates the TTS voices into websites. · tdil-dc.in, 13 Oct 2026