India, with its large and varied population, is at an important stage in improving literacy rates. Studying literacy rates tells us about a nation’s schooling and allows us to design fair policies that will help it prosper.
The figure for literacy rate measures how many people within a country are able to read and write. This supports making people informed, and a thriving nation.
Having a large diversity of languages and cultures, India relies on the literacy rate to monitor progress in different parts of the country.
Here, we will investigate the situation of literacy in India, including its development, and information by state. Read on to find the effect of religion on literacy levels.
Contents
- What is literacy?
- How Literacy Rate is Calculated?
- Why does Literacy Matters?
- Literacy Rate in India 2025
- Literacy Rate in India, by Religion wise
- Indian Literacy Rate by Gender wise
- Literacy Rate in India Year Wise
- The Problem of Illiteracy in India
- Census of India: Historic Literacy Rates
- Mizoram: The First Fully Literate State in India
- In Conclusion
What is literacy?
At its basic level, literacy means someone is able to read and write no matter what language they speak. Even so, it can mean something different than just being able to know letters and words.
Literacy can mean being able to understand, explain and discuss ideas expressed in writing or speech.
Literacy could mean different levels of knowledge, for example, being able to read and write, having numeracy, or technology awareness.
UNESCO’s criteria for literacy are the skills to read and write in any language, demonstrating their meaning. It covers making a basic statement and interpreting a straightforward meaning in the given language.
How Literacy Rate is Calculated?
The literacy rate is worked out by dividing the people who read and write by the total number in a given age group. The literacy rate for India is usually computed using information from people who are 7 years and older.
Literacy is calculated through this basic formula:
Literacy Rate= (Number of Literates/Total Population)×100
Being literate involves capable reading and writing and being literate is possible even without formal schooling. In India, the National Sample Survey (NSS) gathers data that is organized by gender, age, religion and region.
Basically, to demonstrate how literacy is distributed across the nation.
Read on to learn more about digital literacy.
Why does Literacy Matters?
Literacy forms the basic support for community growth and is essential in:
1. Economic Growth:
Due to a higher literacy rate, more work becomes available, wages are higher and society’s economy becomes more productive.
Persons with education are more commonly involved in improving innovations, starting businesses and growing the economy.
2. Social Development:
By learning to read, individuals are better equipped to form good decisions, take part in society and learn what they are responsible for. It is necessary for decreasing poverty and inequality as well.
3. Health Statistics:
People with literacy skills are more likely to receive health information and resources easily.
Patients tend to follow healthy routines, figure out their medical instructions and select sound health plans as a result.
4. Gender Equality:
Greater understanding of gender equality can happen when literacy increases among both men and women.
When women receive education, they tend to focus more on their careers, opinion and family well-being.
5. Political Awareness:
People who are literate learn about political concerns, join in democratic processes and use their right to vote. To have informed people and secure governance, literacy is very important.
Literacy Rate in India 2025
Due to being populous, India has made remarkable progress in making its people literate. At the same time, there are still obstacles in rural areas, for marginalized areas and in particular states.
India’s literacy rate is higher now than it used to be, but gaps remain divided by gender, religion and location. It is estimated by 2025 that the literacy rate in India will be about 77.7%.
There have been big improvements in education over the last decades. But still, a larger group of people are still not able to enroll in schools.
It is useful to consider the literacy rates of each state which shows both where problems arise and where progress is made.
1. Highest Literacy Rate in India
Across all other regions, Kerala regularly has been the most literate state in India. Latest reports indicate that Kerala’s literacy rate is approaching 96.2%, thanks mainly to decades of improving education for women.
Because of its universal education system and progressive social views, many other states have followed Kerala’s example.
Following the trend, Delhi, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh are having higher literacy rates than the country’s average. All show well-developed educational systems and sturdy community infrastructure.
2. Lowest Literacy Rate in India
Likewise, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar are having a hard time reaching higher literacy rates. In Bihar, about 74.3% of people can read and write, while that number is just over 72.6% in Andhra Pradesh.
Because of poverty, inadequate infrastructure and inequality between men and women, these states struggle with literacy.
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand, as well as other relatively low-literate regions have marginalized communities. These outlying areas have limited access to education.
3. Highest Literacy Rates State In India
- Kerala: 96.2%
- Delhi: 88.7%
- Uttarakhand: 87.6%
- Himachal Pradesh: 86.6%
They have built good educational systems that allow the majority of their people to reach higher levels of learning.
In particular, Kerala is highly praised for putting importance on female education. Thus, explains why the state has the highest female literacy rate in India.
| State | Literacy rate (in percentage) |
| Kerala | 96.2 |
| Delhi | 88.7 |
| Uttarakhand | 87.6 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 86.6 |
| Assam | 85.9 |
| Maharashtra | 84.8 |
| Punjab | 83.7 |
| Gujarat | 82.4 |
| West Bengal | 81.69 |
| Haryana | 80.4 |
4. Lowest Literacy Rates State in India
- Andhra Pradesh: 72.6%
- Bihar: 74.3%
- Madhya Pradesh: 75.2%
- Rajasthan: 75.8%
- Jharkhand: 76.7%
Such states frequently have problems with poverty, poor facilities, and social and economic circumstances. This further keeps many children from attending school.
In many cases, gender gaps are larger, making it so that women often can’t read or write in rural regions.
| State | Literacy Rate (in percentage) |
| Andhra Pradesh | 72.6 |
| Bihar | 74.3 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 75.2 |
| Rajasthan | 75.8 |
| Jharkhand | 76.7 |
| Telangana | 76.9 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 78.2 |
| Chhattisgarh | 78.5 |
| Ladakh | 81 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 82 |
Literacy Rate in India, by Religion wise
Religion has an influence on learning possibilities and results in India.
Religious groups can have different educational opportunities, mostly affected by their economic situation, cultural habits and background.
1. Muslim Literacy Rate in India
The most recent calculations agree that the literacy rate among Indian Muslims is slightly below the national average. And it stands at about 68.54%.
Much progress has been seen in Muslim literacy, mainly in cities, but some rural areas still need to improve their schools.
Besides other reasons, religious and cultural issues, along with being economically underprivileged, play a role here.
2. Hindu Literacy Rate in India
In India, the higher number of Hindu is also the majority in literacy. On average, about 73.27% of Hindus can read and write.
Yet, this situation is very different in various regions and for different groups of people. Most Hindu cities have high literacy rates.
Yet there are still many problems for rural and poorly resourced communities in getting access to education.
3. Christians Literacy Rate in India
Indian Christians typically have a higher literacy rate (84.53%) than members of other religious groups. Christian missionary schools hold much of the credit for bringing education to rural and difficult-to-reach places.
Because there are many Christians in Kerala, the literacy rate is much higher among them than in other places.
| Religion | Literacy Rate (in percentage) |
| Hindu | 73.27 |
| Muslim | 68.54 |
| Christian | 84.53 |
Indian Literacy Rate by Gender wise
All around the world, including India, gender makes a big difference in literacy levels.
There has been progress in literacy, but women in rural areas and marginalized groups still experience unfairness.
1. Women Literacy Rate in India
Women’s literacy in India has gotten better over time, yet continues to fall behind that of men. ULLAS (2024) projects that India’s female literacy rate will stand at 70.3% in 2025.
Some urban and state areas see very high female literacy rates.While rural areas and the states of Bihar, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh continue to have lower rates.
Challenges:
- In various rural places in India, social and cultural beliefs prevent a lot of women from getting an education. Usually, these norms favor girls doing housework instead of going to school.
- Because of economic problems, many families in poverty often keep their girls at home while their sons go to school.
- Children marrying early and unsafe ways to school are additional reasons why girls do not attend classes.
Nevertheless, seeing the rise in literacy among women is good news. Initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao are helping to close the gap between boys and girls in school.
2. Male Literacy in India
More Indian men than women were able to read and write last year and the projected literacy rate in 2025 for men (84%).
Male and female literacy have become closer in recent years, though this gap still stands out in rural areas.
Reasons for a higher level of male literacy:
- Because of past differences in access to education, men are often more educated than women.
- It’s common for boys to gain more access and feel safer in schools. Mainly in rural areas, where things like movement and traditions can hold girls back.
- It needs meaningful policies, additional activities at school to support women and a move towards supporting women’s empowerment in society.
| Gender | Literacy Rate (in percentage) |
| Male | 84 |
| Female | 70.3 |
Literacy Rate in India Year Wise
India has seen a big improvement in literacy levels over the decades, thanks to surveys and censuses. People’s ability to read and write has increased consistently.
Although there have been ups and downs because of economic, policy and social reasons.
Important Literacy Rate Achievements in India
- In 1951, the census found that only 18.3% of Indians could read and write. Thus, showing the growing nation’s low state of education after independence. At that point, the majority of people, mainly rural women and men, could not go to school.
- A higher literacy rate (43.57%) in 1981 showed that early changes in education and wide availability of schools helped.
- At the time of this census in 1991, people who could read and write were about 52.2%. And there was clear improvement in cities. It became clear to more people that girls deserved access to education, thanks to the government’s improvements.
- In 2001, the census reported that the literacy rate was 64.8% which meant gains for both men and women. Literacy was higher in cities than in rural regions but was still not widely available for people in rural areas.
- 2011 was marked with a literacy rate of 74.04%. There were big enhancements seen in India, mainly with female literacy, even so, huge differences remained between regions.
- It is believed that the national literacy rate will reach about 77.7% by 2025. Even as progress takes place, rural communities, many tribal states and places with little economic activity continue to struggle.
| Year | Literacy Rate (in percentage) |
| 1941 | 16.1 |
| 1951 | 18.33 |
| 1961 | 28.3 |
| 1971 | 34.45 |
| 1981 | 43.57 |
| 1991 | 52.21 |
| 2001 | 64.83 |
| 2011 | 74.04 |
| 2025 | 77.7 |
The Problem of Illiteracy in India
While more people are able to read, there is still a big problem with illiteracy in the country. A number of Indians still cannot read or write.
And the nation is trying to overcome illiteracy as it tries to make education available to all.
Primary Reasons for India’s Low Literacy
- In many rural areas, where schools are far, economic hardship frequently stops parents from educating their children. Lower-income families are usually more likely to have people who cannot read.
- As mentioned before, the fact that literacy rates are lower for women is in large part caused by gender inequity. Because of the traditions surrounding marriage in many societies, girls on the rural side are not allowed to attend school.
- Transportation and infrastructure problems cause schools to be either scarce or out of reach for many rural communities. As a result, the difference in education between rural areas and cities gets even larger.
- In particular parts of the world, male education is appreciated more than that of female. Similarly, certain faraway and tribal communities encourage living traditional lives and discourage education in schools.
- An important number of children, mainly from rural areas, enter the workforce very early. Because these children are usually not given a school education, the problem of illiteracy passes from one generation to the next.
India’s different languages mean there are unique obstacles for communication. There are many children, mainly from rural parts, that do not use their own language in school.
Thus, making it hard for them to become literate. Most education uses English and Hindi and this makes it tough for kids from various areas to succeed.
Census of India: Historic Literacy Rates
The Census of India gathers reliable information on literacy over the decades to show the growth in education in India.
It reveals that in some states, strong efforts by the government have led to average literacy levels. Still having areas that remain far behind.
1. Kerala Literacy Rates
Kerala has the highest literacy percentage in India since education has always been a top focus for the state.
Kerala’s literacy rate, as revealed by the 2021 Census, is one of the highest around the globe at 96.2%.
This is mainly because of the state’s well-designed education programs, women’s high literacy levels and many years of social change.
2. Key Factors:
- Heavy Government Investment: Kerala’s government supported schools with plenty of resources, so almost all could attend classes.
- Women Empowerment: Because Kerala gives high priority to women’s education, its female literacy rate is the highest in the country.
3. Bihar Literacy Rates
At the same time, Bihar is home to one of India’s lowest literacy percentage. Recent 2011 Census results reflect that the literacy rate in Bihar is 63.8% which highlights flaws in the education system.
Poverty, insufficient development of basic services and social pressures still block progress in the state’s education system.
Key Challenges:
- In Bihar, there is a lack of educational resources because the state is one of India’s poorest.
- Many rural areas in the country are lacking schools as well as teachers.
- Most girls do not acquire an education due to old customs that put greater value on marriage and homemaking.
Mizoram: The First Fully Literate State in India
As declared in 2025, Mizoram was the first Indian state to provide education to all and ensure 98.2% literacy. Thus, surpassing the Ministry of Education’s literacy goal of 95% on 21st May, announced by CM Lalduhoma.
This progress is impressive because Mizoram had lower than average literacy at one time. The government has prioritized letting everyone access learning and community-based education efforts have made it possible.
What Led to Mizoram’s Progress:
- Many local leaders and organizations in the community worked to help people in their area understand how to read.
- Mizoram’s government devoted much money to improving education, ensuring that students in rural parts could attend classes.
- Some of the best initiatives included Samagra Siksha Abhiyan, Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram, and Cluster Resource Centre Surveys. All of them focused on adult literacy and strong primary education.
- Mizoram puts more emphasis on girls’ education, so women in the area have some of the highest literacy rates in India.
In Conclusion
Several decades ago, India raised its literacy rate, and Kerala and Mizoram now serve as models for others. The problem is stronger in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and in rural communities.
This is because of issues related to money and common practices continue to prevent many from getting a good education.
To deal with these differences, we need special laws, more educational opportunities and a battle against gender inequality.
To secure a positive future, India must give every child, independent of gender, religion or social status, an education of equal quality. Promoting educational and well-structured classrooms allows the country to reach higher literacy and boosts its growth.
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