New Delhi: Literacy is the basic ability of a person to read, write and express himself in the society. It is the pillar of communication which helps in the development of the society. It helps to overcome and reduce problems ranging from infant mortality to diseases or any other type of problems. It also empowers individuals. It not only helps in development but also affects the economic development of any country.
Importance of Literacy Day celebration
The International Literacy Day is celebrated every year on September 8 with the aim of increasing and spreading the importance of literacy among people and communities. At the 14th UNESCO General Conference on 26 October 1966, it was decided to dedicate September 8 as the International Literacy Day. A year later in 1967 it was celebrated for the first time.
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Literacy rate in India
We live in a world where technological advancement is being witnessed with every passing day. Yet the the status of literacy in our country is growing at a slow but steady development.
being updated moment by moment, yet the literacy system of our country is on the path of slow but steady development. According to the report of the National Survey of India, India’s literacy rate was 73% in 2011, which has increased by about 5 percent in 10 years. India’s literacy rate has been recorded at 77.7% in 2022.
Reason behind the low literacy rate in India
At the same time, the literacy rate of rural areas of India is 73.5 percent while the literacy rate of urban areas is 87.7 percent. The literacy rate of males at the national level is 84.7 while that of females is 70.3%. The rapidly growing population, poverty and poor health conditions can be attributed to the low literacy rate.
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Andhra Pradesh has the lowest literacy rate
According to the National Statistical Office (NSO) survey last year, Kerala has the highest literacy rate among 28 states in India with 96.2% while Andhra Pradesh has the lowest literacy rate with 66.4 percent. While talking about the Union Territories, the most literate Union Territory is Lakshadweep with a literacy rate of about 91.8%, while Jammu and Kashmir has the lowest literacy rate with a literacy rate of 68.7%. At the same time, the literacy rate of the country’s capital Delhi is 86.2%.
States with highest literacy rate in India
Kerala – 96.2%
Mizoram – 91.58%
Delhi- 88.7%
Tripura – 87.75%
Uttarakhand- 87.6%
Goa – 87.4%
Himachal Pradesh- 86.6%
Assam- 85.9%
Maharashtra- 84.8%
Punjab – 83.7%
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States with lowest literacy rate in India
Andhra Pradesh- 66.4%
Rajasthan- 69.7%
Bihar – 70.9%
Telangana- 72.8%
Uttar Pradesh- 73.0%
Madhya Pradesh- 73.7%
Jharkhand – 74.3%
Karnataka – 77.2%
Chhattisgarh- 77.3%
(The figures have been released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) in 2021.)
