State Wise Literacy Rate in India 2023

The state-wise literacy rate in India gives an overview of the socio-economic progress made in the country. The literacy rate of India in 2023 will be 77.7 per cent. The literacy rate is defined as the percentage of literate people aged 7 years and older. Over the past four decades, India’s literacy rate has increased substantially. In this article, we will discuss the regional variations, government initiatives, challenges, and progress made in achieving a decent literacy rate across various states in India.

Literary Rate in India 2023

The literacy rate is defined by the percentage of the population of a given age group that can read and write. An individual who can read and write a simple sentence in any language with understanding is considered literate. Since independence, the literacy rate has increased by six times, and at the same time, it has the largest illiterate population of 287 million. The literacy rate is subdivided into two types: the adult literacy rate (ages 15 and above) and the youth literacy rate (ages 15 to 24).

As compared to the last census (2011), the literacy rate in India has increased by 5% in 2023 to 77.7 per cent. According to a UNESCO report, India will achieve universal literacy in the year 2060.

List of State Wise Literacy Rate in India 2023

Based on the National Statistical Office (NSO) survey the state-wise literacy rate in India in 2023 is shown below.

States & UTs	Male Literacy Rate %	Female Literacy Rate %	Average Literacy Rate %
A&N islands	90.11	81.84	86.27
Andhra Pradesh	73.4	59.5	66.4
Arunachal Pradesh	73.69	59.57	66.95
Assam	90.1	81.2	85.9
Bihar	79.7	60.5	70.9
Chandigarh	90.54	81.38	86.43
Chhattisgarh	85.4	68.7	77.3
Dadra and Nagar Haveli	86.46	65.93	77.65
Daman & Diu	91.48	79.59	87.07
Delhi	93.7	82.4	88.7
Goa	92.81	81.84	87.4
Gujarat	89.5	74.8	82.4
Haryana	88	71.3	80.4
Himachal Pradesh	92.9	80.5	86.6
Jammu & Kashmir	85.7	68	77.3
Jharkhand	83	64.7	74.3
Karnataka	83.4	70.5	77.2
Kerala	97.4	95.2	96.2
Lakshadweep	96.11	88.25	92.28
Madhya Pradesh	81.2	65.5	73.7
Maharashtra	90.7	78.4	84.8
Manipur	86.49	73.17	79.85
Meghalaya	77.17	73.78	75.48
Mizoram	93.72	89.4	91.58
Nagaland	83.29	76.69	80.11
Odisha	84	70.3	77.3
Puducherry	92.12	81.22	86.55
Punjab	88.5	78.5	83.7
Rajasthan	80.8	57.6	69.7
Sikkim	87.29	76.43	82.2
Tamil Nadu	87.9	77.9	82.9
Telangana	80.5	65.1	72.8
Tripura	92.18	83.15	87.75
Uttar Pradesh	81.8	63.4	73.0
Uttarakhand	94.3	80.7	87.6
West Bengal	84.8	76.1	80.5
All-India	84.7	70.3	77.7

Indian States with High Literacy Rate in 2023

Based on National Statistical Office (NSO) data state with highest literacy rate is Kerala( 96.2%) followed by Mizoram (91.58%) and Delhi (88.7%). Top 10 States with Highest Literacy Rate with highest litearcy rate are as follows:

S.No	State	Male	Female	Average
1	Kerala	97.4	95.2	96.2
2	Mizoram	93.72	89.4	91.58
3	Delhi	93.7	82.4	88.7
4	Tripura	92.18	83.15	87.75
5	Uttarakhand	94.3	80.7	87.6
6	Goa	92.81	81.84	87.4
7	Himachal Pradesh	92.9	80.5	86.6
8	Assam	90.1	81.2	85.9
9	Maharashtra	90.7	78.4	84.8
10	Punjab	88.5	78.5	83.7

Indian States with Low Literacy Rate in 2023

Based on National Statistical Office (NSO) data state with lowest literacy rate is Andhra Pradesh (66.2%) followed by Rajasthan (69.7%) and Bihar (70.9%). States with the Lowest Literacy Rate are as follows:

S.No	State	Male	Female	Average
1	Andhra Pradesh	73.4	59.5	66.4
2	Rajasthan	80.8	57.6	69.7
3	Bihar	79.7	60.5	70.9
4	Telangana	80.5	65.1	72.8
5	Uttar Pradesh	81.8	63.4	73.0
6	Madhya Pradesh	81.2	65.5	73.7
7	Jharkhand	83	64.7	74.3
8	Karnataka	83.4	70.5	77.2
9	Chhattisgarh	85.4	68.7	77.3
10	Jammu & Kashmir	85.7	68	77.3

State Wise Literacy Rate in Urban and Rural Areas in 2023

Literacy rate in urban area is 87.7% and in the rural area the literacy rate is 73.5%. State Wise Literary Rate in Urban and Rural Areas in 2023 is as follows:

States	Male literacy rate in rural area	Female literacy rate in rural area	Average rural literacy rate	Male urban literacy rate	Female urban literacy rate	Average urban literacy rate
Andhra Pradesh	67.5	53.4	60.4	86.3	73.1	79.6
Assam	89.4	79.9	84.9	96.1	91.4	93.8
Bihar	78.6	58.7	69.5	89.3	75.9	83.1
Chhattisgarh	84	65.6	75	91.8	82.3	87.2
Delhi				94.1	83.4	89.4
Gujarat	85.7	68	77	95.2	86.3	91.1
Haryana	85.8	66.4	77	92.5	81.2	87.3
Himachal Pradesh	92.3	79.2	85.6	97.8	93	95.5
Jammu & Kashmir	84.9	66	75.8	88.5	75.7	82.6
Jharkhand	80.6	61.4	71.4	92.6	78.6	86.1
Karnataka	78.2	63.1	71	92.5	83.7	88.3
Kerala	96.7	94.1	95.4	98.2	96.4	97.3
Madhya Pradesh	77.9	61	69.8	91.4	79.5	85.8
Maharashtra	87	71.4	79.4	95.3	87.6	91.7
Odisha	82	67.3	74.9	94.4	85.9	90.2
Punjab	85.5	74	80	93.8	86.7	90.5
Rajasthan	77.6	52.6	65.5	91.1	74.6	83.5
Tamil Nadu	84.2	70.8	77.5	92.3	85.9	89
Telangana	70.6	53.7	62.1	91.7	79	85.5
Uttar Pradesh	80.5	60.4	70.8	86.8	74.9	81.2
Uttarakhand	93.1	79	86.1	97.4	85.9	92
West Bengal	82	72.6	77.4	91.4	84.7	88.1
All-India	81.5	65	73.5	92.2	82.8	87.7

Causes of Low Literacy Rate in India

Various factors responsible for the low literacy rate are as follows:

• Inadequate educational infrastructure and a lack of resources
• Gender inequality results in discrimination against girls, leading to higher dropout rates among female students.
• Regional disparities and the unequal distribution of resources between urban and rural areas.
• Lack of proper teacher training programmes.
• Lack of sanitation facilities leads to high dropout rates among female students.
• Caste-based discrimination, especially for marginalised communities, has an impact on their access to educational opportunities.
• High poverty levels lead to a lack of resources for education-related expenses.
• Poor implementation of government policies and programmes aimed at improving literacy

Government Initiatives to Improve Literacy Rate in India

The government initiated various policies and programmes to address the challenges associated with low literacy rates and improve the overall education level. Some of the initiatives of the government are described as follows:

1. Right to Education Act (RTE) 2009: It aims to provide free and compulsory education to children in the age range of 6 to 14 years. It sets the standards and rules for schools to ensure a conducive learning environment is provided and gives importance to quality education.
2. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA): It is a flagship programme of the government for universalizing elementary education throughout the country. It aims to bridge the gender gap in education and ensure education opportunities for every child, irrespective of gender.
3. Digital India Initiatives: It aims to integrate technology with education through various Digital India initiatives, including efforts to provide digital resources, e-learning platforms, and connectivity in remote areas.
4. The National Literacy Mission (NLM) was started with the aim of eradicating illiteracy in India by imparting functional literacy to non-literates in the age group of 15 to 35 years.
5. Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao: Aimed at addressing the declining child sex ratio, it also focuses on the education and welfare of the girl child.
6. Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA): It aims to increase the enrollment in secondary schools and the quality of education.
7. Mid-Day Meal Scheme: It aims to improve the attendance of children, their retention, and their nutritional levels. Free meals are provided to students at the primary and secondary levels in government and government-aided schools.
8. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) aims to provide skill-based training to the youth that aligns with the demands of industry and also provides a stipend after successful completion of the training programmes.
9. Skill Development Programmes: The government is promoting skill development programmes to enhance the vocational skills of individuals. The skills learned make them more marketable in various industries.

How to Improve Literacy Rate

To address the challenge related to the low literacy rate, we require a comprehensive and integrated approach. Some of the ways to improve the educational level are as follows:

• Increase the budget for the education sector to improve infrastructure and various facilities.
• Focus on developing skills that align with the industries.
• Promote gender quality by addressing the challenges that prevent girls from accessing and completing their education.
• Bridge the digital divide by providing digital literacy to students.
• Follow an integrated approach and work towards a public-private partnership.
• Focus not only on increasing the enrollment ratio but also on improving the quality of education.
• Targeted implementation of government policies.

Important Facts about State Wise Literacy Rate in India

Important facts related to literacy rate are as follows:

• Male Literacy Rate of India in 2023 is 84.7%.
• Female Literacy Rate of India in 2023 is 70.3%.
• Literacy Rate in Urban India is 87.7%.
• Literacy Rate in Rural India is 73.5%.
• Highest Literacy State in India is Kerala.
• Highest Male Literacy State in India is Lakshadweep.
• Highest Female Literacy State in India is Kerala.
• Lowest Literacy State in India is Andhra Pradesh.
• Lowest Male Literacy State in India is Rajasthan.
• Lowest Female Literacy State in India is Bihar.

FAQs on State Wise Literacy Rate in India 2023

1. Which Indian state has a 100% literacy rate?

Kerala is the only state in India to have a 100% literacy rate. Other states that have a high literacy rate are Lakshadweep at 91.85% and Mizoram at 91.33%.

2. Which state will have the highest literacy rate in India in 2023?

The state with the highest literacy rate in India in 2023 will be Kerala(96.2%), followed by Mizoram (91.58%), and Delhi (88.7%). The literacy rate is defined as the percentage of literate people aged 7 years and older.

3. What are the causes of the low literacy rate?

The various causes of the low literacy rate include lack of resources, poor implementation of government policies and programmes, lack of trained teachers, gender ps, and c caste-based discrimination, among others.

4. What is the formula for the literacy rate?

The literacy rate is calculated as the average number of literate individuals in a particular area or group.
Literacy rate = (number of literate persons/population) * 100. Persons aged 7 or above are considered.

5. What are the top 10 educated states in India in 2023?

The top ten educated states are as follows: Kerala, Mizoram,Delhi, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Goa,Himachal Pradesh, Assam, Maharashtra, and Punjab.