The ability to read and write provides an opportunity to escape generational poverty and live a more enriched life. Quality education also plays a vital role in the growth of the social-economical standards of the country. According to the Census of India 2011 data, the average literacy rate in India is approximately 73 percent. The Indian government has been working consistently to increase literacy rates. The Right To Education Act 2009 was enacted to offer free and compulsory elementary education to kids between the age group of 6 years to 14 years. Education is a source of pride and confidence, the gateway to financial stability and prosperity.
What is Literacy Rate?
The literacy rate determines the percentage of the population capable of reading and writing. The literacy rate is further divided into adult literacy rate (ages 15 and above) and youth literacy rate (ages 15 to 24).
According to the National Literacy Mission Programme, a person must acquire the skills of reading, writing and arithmetic to be called literate. Basic comprehension skills to communicate effectively and solve day-to-day problems also determines literacy.
What Are The Main Causes of Illiteracy?
Poverty
Poor financial conditions can often lead to Illiteracy and vice versa. Families with low income are unable to pay school fees and instead prefer that their children start working at a young age. Even after the launch of free elementary education and mid-day meal scheme in India, families who suffer from generational poverty reject the idea of educating their children. It is a never-ending cycle that can only break by creating awareness around the importance of education.
Uneducated Parents
Children brought up by parents who cannot read and write are more likely to stay uneducated. The 2011 census of India report also showcases a disparity in the literacy rate between the rural and urban areas. But parents who had some sort of formal education understand the importance of education for children and its role in creating a bright future. Therefore, educated families go beyond their capacity to educate their children.
Lack of Infrastructure
India still needs more schools in rural and remote areas. Parents hesitate to send their children to a school which is kilometres away from their home. Also, even if there are transportation facilities available, most families cannot afford the cost of private transportation, which results in more children staying at home.
Lack of Awareness
The lack of awareness regarding the importance of education can increase the illiteracy rate. In remote rural areas, where a larger number of people never had any formal education, illiteracy rates are going to be high.
Literacy Rate of States in India
| State | Average Literacy Rate | Male | Female |
| Andhra Pradesh | 66.4 | 75.56 | 59.74 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 66.95 | 73.69 | 59.57 |
| Assam | 73.18 | 78.81 | 67.27 |
| Bihar | 69.82 | 73.39 | 53.33 |
| Chhattisgarh | 71.04 | 81.45 | 60.59 |
| Goa | 87.4 | 92.81 | 81.84 |
| Gujarat | 79.31 | 87.23 | 70.73 |
| Haryana | 76.64 | 85.38 | 66.77 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 83.78 | 90.83 | 76.6 |
| Jharkhand | 66.4 | 78.45 | 56.21 |
| Karnataka | 75.6 | 82.85 | 68.13 |
| Kerala | 93.91 | 96.02 | 91.98 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 70.63 | 80.53 | 60.02 |
| Maharashtra | 82.91 | 89.82 | 75.48 |
| Manipur | 79.85 | 86.49 | 73.17 |
| Meghalaya | 75.48 | 77.17 | 73.78 |
| Mizoram | 91.58 | 93.72 | 89.4 |
| Nagaland | 80.11 | 83.29 | 76.69 |
| Odisha | 73.45 | 82.4 | 64.36 |
| Punjab | 76.68 | 81.48 | 71.34 |
| Rajasthan | 67.06 | 80.51 | 52.66 |
| Sikkim | 82.2 | 87.29 | 76.43 |
| Tamil Nadu | 80.33 | 86.81 | 73.86 |
| Telangana | – | – | – |
| Tripura | 87.75 | 92.18 | 83.15 |
| Uttarakhand | 79.63 | 88.33 | 70.7 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 69.72 | 79.24 | 59.26 |
| West Bengal | 77.08 | 82.67 | 71.16 |
List of Union Territories By Literacy Rates
| Union Territories of India | Average Literacy Rate | Male | Female |
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 86.27 | 90.11 | 81.84 |
| Chandigarh | 86.43 | 90.54 | 81.38 |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli | 77.65 | 86.46 | 65.93 |
| Daman & Diu | 87.07 | 91.48 | 79.59 |
| Delhi | 86.34 | 91.03 | 80.93 |
| Lakshadweep | 92.28 | 96.11 | 88.25 |
| Puducherry | 86.55 | 92.12 | 81.22 |
Literacy Rate of Women in India
According to a report published by the National Statistical Office (NSO), the female literacy rate in India is approximately 70.3 per cent. Rajasthan has the lowest women’s literacy rate in India at 57.6 per cent. Kerala has the highest female literacy rate at 95.2 per cent.
| State | Female Literacy Rate |
| Rajasthan | 57.60% |
| Andhra Pradesh | 59.50% |
| Bihar | 60.50% |
| Uttar Pradesh | 63.40% |
| Jharkhand | 64.70% |
Why is the Literacy Rate Low Among the Females?
India is focusing on reducing the gap in literacy rates between the two genders. Even though the nation has witnessed significant progress, the literacy rate amongst females remains a concerning issue.
But with the implementation of various girl education initiatives, the gap between the male and female literacy rates is slowly narrowing over time. According to data, there are still over 186 million females in India who cannot read or write in any language.
Here are some of the reasons for low literacy rates in females:
- The lack of proper sanitation for girls is a major challenge for schools in rural areas. A study was conducted on 188 government primary schools. As per the data published, nearly 89 per cent of schools did not have washroom facilities.
- Discrimination against female students based on gender and caste.
- Stereotypes based on gender roles result in a large number of girls abandoning their education.
- Child marriage or early marriage is still prevalent in many parts of India, with Andhra Pradesh showing the highest number of child marriages. Families with poor socio-economic conditions and low education are more likely to give more importance to early marriage than education.
