IN NEWS: Mizoram becomes India’s first ‘fully literate’ state; literacy disparities persist across states
Introduction
India’s literacy landscape has witnessed a major milestone as Mizoram achieved ‘full literacy’ status (above 95%), with a literacy rate of 98.2% (PLFS 2023–24). The data highlights both progress in education and persistent inter-state disparities, as states like Andhra Pradesh and Bihar remain at the bottom.
ANALYSIS
National Literacy Scenario
- India’s literacy rate (2023–24): 80.9%
- At Independence: ~14%
- Shows significant long-term improvement in education access
Implication:
- Reflects success of education policies and expansion of schooling
- Yet indicates uneven distribution across states
Top Performing States/UTs (Highest Literacy)
| Rank | State/UT | Literacy Rate |
|---|
| 1 | Mizoram | 98.2% |
| 2 | Lakshadweep | 97.3% |
| 3 | Nagaland | 95.7% |
| 4 | Kerala | 95.3% |
| 5 | Meghalaya | 94.2% |
| 6 | Tripura | 93.7% |
| 6 | Chandigarh | 93.7% |
| 8 | Goa | 93.6% |
| 9 | Puducherry | 92.7% |
| 10 | Manipur | 92% |
Implication:
- North-East and smaller states dominate literacy rankings
- Reflects effective community participation and education outreach
Lowest Performing States/UTs (Lowest Literacy)
| Rank | State/UT | Literacy Rate |
|---|
| 1 | Andhra Pradesh | 72.6% |
| 2 | Bihar | 74.3% |
| 3 | Madhya Pradesh | 75.2% |
| 4 | Rajasthan | 75.8% |
| 5 | Jharkhand | 76.7% |
| 6 | Telangana | 76.9% |
| 7 | Uttar Pradesh | 78.2% |
| 8 | Chhattisgarh | 78.5% |
| 9 | Ladakh | 81% |
| 10 | Jammu & Kashmir | 82% |
Implication:
- Highlights regional inequality in education outcomes
- Indicates need for:
- Improved schooling infrastructure
- Focus on rural and marginalised populations
Mizoram’s Achievement – Full Literacy
- Literacy rate crossed 95% threshold set by Ministry of Education
- Achieved 98.2% literacy (PLFS 2023–24)
- Significant improvement from:
Implication:
- Demonstrates success of:
- Focused literacy campaigns
- High social awareness and participation
Key Issues in Low Literacy States
- Factors contributing to low literacy:
- Poverty and socio-economic barriers
- Gender disparities
- Rural-urban divide
- Dropout rates
Implication:
- Requires targeted policy interventions
- Emphasis on:
- Digital education
- Adult literacy programs
- School retention strategies
Definition of Literacy (Important for Exams)
- A person aged 7 years and above who can read and write with understanding in any language
STATIC PART
- Survey/Data Source: PLFS (Periodic Labour Force Survey) 2023–24
- Conducted By: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)
- Threshold for Full Literacy: 95% (Ministry of Education benchmark)
- Top State: Mizoram (98.2%)
- Lowest State: Andhra Pradesh (72.6%)
Updated - 06 June 2025 ; 11:56 AM | News Source: The Indian Express