Literacy in India

Literacy in India is very important because it helps people improve their lives and helps the whole country grow. In 2011, about 73 out of every 100 people could read and write, but by 2017–18, this number went up to about 81 out of 100 people. Cities usually have higher literacy rates than villages, with about 90% of people in cities able to read and write compared to 77% in villages.

There is also a difference between boys and girls when it comes to reading and writing. More boys can read and write than girls, but the gap is getting smaller over time. When more girls learn to read and write, it helps families plan better and make important choices for their future.

Literacy means more than just reading and writing. It also includes doing simple math and using these skills to solve everyday problems. When people can read, write, and count, they can make better decisions, improve their jobs, and understand more about the world around them. This helps everyone in the community and makes society stronger.

Census dataset

The census in India looks at how many people can read and write. There are two ways they measure this:

• Effective literacy rate: This looks at people who are seven years old or older and can read and write with understanding.
• Crude literacy rate: This looks at everyone in the area, including those younger than seven, to see who can read and write.

These rates help us understand how many people in India can read and write at different times.

Other Datasets

Source: The report on 'Household Social Consumption: Education in India as part of 75th round of National Sample Survey – from July 2017 to June 2018. Other than Assam, no other state from the Northeast was included in the survey.

Regional literacy comparison

For broader coverage of this topic, see List of countries by literacy rate.

The table below shows how well adults and young people can read and write in India and nearby countries. The information was gathered by UNESCO in 2015. The adult numbers are for people aged 15 and older, and the youth numbers are for people aged 15 to 24.

Literacy rate disparity

One big reason for lower literacy in India is that many people do not see the value of education, and schools are hard to reach in rural areas. In 2006–2007, there were not enough classrooms for all students, and most schools lacked clean restrooms and drinking water. Many villages and city slums have schools run by teachers with little training, and there are far more students than teachers.

There are also big differences based on social groups and gender. Some groups face more challenges getting an education because of economic limits and unfair treatment. Girls often have lower chances of going to school because families sometimes think boys need education more than girls. This makes it harder for many children to finish their schooling.

History and progress

Long ago, before British rule, children in India learned in special schools called gurukulas, led by teachers known as gurus. These schools were supported by donations from families and were open to children from all backgrounds.

During British rule, new schools teaching in English opened, and more children started to learn to read and write. By 1941, about 16 out of every 100 people could read and write. After India became independent, leaders made education very important. They wanted all children aged 6 to 14 to go to school, and made it a rule by law. Today, many more people can read and write than before, though there is still work to do to help everyone learn.

Growth and variation

Since 1880, each census in India has shown that more people were learning to read and write. However, the country's population grew so fast that the total number of people who could not read or write actually increased each decade. During the years 2001 to 2011, something changed. For the second time (the first being 1991 to 2001), the number of people who could not read or write went down by about 31 million. This means that more people were learning to read and write faster than the population was growing.

By 2011, about 75% of people in India could read and write. The state of Kerala did very well, with about 93% of its people able to read and write. By 2025, Mizoram had the highest rate at 98.2%, while Andhra Pradesh had the lowest at 72.6%. A report from 2023 to 2024 showed that across India, about 81% of people aged seven and older could read and write. Bihar, which used to have the lowest rate, now has 74.3%, while Kerala has a very high rate of 95.3%.

Six states — Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana — have most of the people who still cannot read or write. Almost half of all illiterate people in India live in these six states, including Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

State literacy programmes

Several states in India have created programs to help more people learn to read and write. These programs work best when leaders are committed, communities are involved, there is enough money for schools and teachers, and the community sees value in extra services like free school lunches.

Bihar has made big strides in raising its literacy rates. From 1951 to 2011, the rate grew from 13.49% to 63.82%. By 2017, it reached 70.2%, and recent reports show it is now at 79.7%. The state government has started many programs to help improve education. However, challenges remain, such as poverty and social differences that can make it hard for some children to attend school.

Tripura has one of the highest literacy rates in India. The state worked closely with local leaders, community groups, and schools to improve education. Programs include special classes for adults, free education until class eight, and free meals at school to encourage attendance. Tripura also focuses on making sure all children, even in remote areas, have access to education.

Kerala has long been a leader in education. The state made sure schools were close to homes, offered free transport to cities for higher education, and created a statewide campaign to teach everyone to read and write. This included surveys, cultural events, and a management system involving many community members.

Himachal Pradesh saw a major rise in literacy between 1961 and 2001, especially among young women. School attendance for both boys and girls aged 6 to 14 was over 97% by 1998–99.

Mizoram is the second most literate state in India. After independence, the literacy rate rose quickly from 31.14% in 1951 to 88.80% in 2001. The government identified people who needed to learn to read and write and set up community-led education centers.

Tamil Nadu started providing free meals to school children as early as 1923. By 1982, the program covered all children up to class 10 and even pregnant women. This helped raise the literacy rate from 54.4% in 1981 to 80.3% in 2011. Today, free school lunches are provided to over 120 million children every day, making it the largest such program in the world.

Rajasthan made a big jump in literacy from 1991 to 2001, going from about 38% to 61%. The state government started several programs to get more schools into villages and help children stay in school. When Rajasthan became a state in 1956, its literacy rate was only 18%, the lowest in India.

Literacy promotion

The right to education is very important, and groups around the world wanted everyone to learn by 2015. India, along with some other places, still needs to help more people learn to read and write. Many people in India are working hard to improve learning for everyone. Each year on September 8, people celebrate International Literacy Day to show how important learning is for everyone.

The government has made big plans to help people learn. For example, the National Literacy Mission started in 1988 to help adults learn to read and write. Another big plan is Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, which began in 2001 to make sure all children between 6 and 14 years old go to school. This plan also helps children who cannot go to regular schools by setting up special classes close to where they live.

Many groups that are not part of the government also help. These groups work in villages where it is hard for people to go to school. They help change old habits that stop children from learning. Some of these groups include Pratham, ITC, Rotary Club, and Lions Club. One special group is the Mamidipudi Venkatarangaiya Foundation, which helps children who were forced to work instead of going to school. They create special schools to help these children catch up and learn to read and write.