Setup Tutorial

Keyboard Installation Guide

Learn how to add input keyboards (IMEs) for English, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu on your computer or mobile devices.

Installing Input Methods on Windows

1

Open Windows Settings

Press the Win + I keys simultaneously or search for "Settings" in the start menu.

2

Go to Time & Language

Click on the Time & Language section in the sidebar, then select Language & Region (or "Region & Language" on older versions).

3

Add a Preferred Language

Click on the Add a language button. Search for your desired language:

  • Hindi: Search for "Hindi (हिंदी)" and click Next to install language resources. Select "Inscript" or "Phonetic" layout in language options.
  • Punjabi: Search for "Punjabi (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ)" and install. It uses the Gurmukhi keyboard.
  • Urdu: Search for "Urdu (اردو)" and select "Urdu (Pakistan)".
4

Switch Keyboards Instantly

Once installed, press Alt + Shift or Win + Spacebar to toggle between English, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu layouts.

Installing Input Methods on Apple macOS

1

Open System Settings

Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen and open System Settings (or "System Preferences").

2

Select Keyboard Settings

Scroll down the sidebar and select Keyboard. Under the "Input Sources" section, click the Edit... (or +) button.

3

Select and Add Layouts

Click the + button at the bottom and search for the language:

  • Hindi: Add "Hindi - Devanagari" or "Hindi - Phonetic".
  • Punjabi: Add "Punjabi" (uses Gurmukhi script).
  • Urdu: Add "Urdu" or "Urdu - Phonetic".
4

Switch Keyboards Easily

Use the input selector icon in your menu bar (top-right of screen), or press Fn + Spacebar (or Control + Spacebar) to cycle between layouts.

Adding Languages in Gboard (Android)

1

Open Keyboard Settings

Tap any text area to open your keyboard (Gboard). Tap the gear/cog icon (⚙) at the top of the keyboard to open settings.

2

Manage Languages

Select Languages, then tap the blue Add keyboard button at the bottom.

3

Choose Layouts

Search and select your language (e.g. Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu). Choose between "Keyboard layout" styles (e.g. handwriting, standard, or phonetic transliteration) and tap Done.

4

Switching layouts

Press and hold the Spacebar to display a popup language menu, then choose the keyboard you want to use.

Adding Keyboards on iOS (iPhone / iPad)

1

Open iOS Settings

Open the standard Settings app on your iPhone or iPad, tap General, and scroll down to select Keyboard.

2

Select Keyboards

Tap Keyboards at the top of the menu, and then tap Add New Keyboard....

3

Select Native Scripts

Select your preferred input language from the list (Hindi, Punjabi, or Urdu). You can choose between Transliteration (QWERTY spelling) and standard Script layout.

4

Toggle Input Methods

Tap and hold the **Globe** icon (🌐) in the bottom-left corner of the typing screen to select your language keyboard.

Advanced Keyboard Settings & Layouts

🔧 How to Enable Raavi Font in Windows 11

Windows 11 comes with the Raavi font pre-installed as the default Unicode font for Gurmukhi script typing. To enable Raavi font typing:

  1. Go to Settings (Press Win + I) → Time & Language → Language & Region.
  2. Click Add a Language and select Punjabi (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ).
  3. Once installed, click the three dots (•••) next to Punjabi and open Language Options.
  4. Under Keyboards, make sure the Gurmukhi (Raavi) layout is selected (you can add it if missing).
  5. Now toggle your keyboard input to Punjabi using Win + Space to type native text in Raavi font.

🗺️ Punjabi Typing Keyboard Layout Map

To learn Gurmukhi typing, understanding the key distribution is crucial. The standard Punjabi typing layout maps Gurmukhi characters to QWERTY keys as follows:

  • Home Row: Maps key characters like ੳ (u), ਅ (a), ੲ (i), ਸ (sa), ਹ (ha) when combined with modifier keys.
  • Vowels (Matras): Assigned to specific left-hand keys for quick syllable formation.
  • Shifting keys: Pressing Shift toggles conjunct structures or half-characters.

You can download a comprehensive guide including the punjabi typing shortcut keys pdf from state education portals or review our visual helper tool inside the training sections.

🎹 Remington Gail Hindi Keyboard Layout Practice

For government clerk and typist exams across India, the Remington Gail (Krutidev / Unicode) layout is the standard requirement. Unlike phonetic input, Remington Gail relies on mechanical mapping:

  • Uses standard key positions matching traditional typewriters.
  • Requires practicing alt-codes for special conjunct characters (e.g. ALT+0216).
  • Recommended practice includes taking dedicated hindi typing test for govt jobs sessions to learn the layout mappings systematically.