(a) whether the literacy rate has increased in the country recently;
(b) If so, the details of the literacy percentage during the last three years and the current year,
State/UT-wise;
(c) the current percentage of primary, middle, secondary, senior secondary grade literacy in
the country separately; and
(d) whether any efforts have been made/likely to be made to increase literacy rate in the
country and if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)
(a) & (b) Census 2011 recorded country’s literacy rate as 72.98 per cent compared to 64.84
per cent in 2001, showing an increase by 8.14 percentage points. The State/UT-wise details
of literacy rates recorded by Census 2001 and 2011 are at Annexure-I.
(c) A statement showing the population and the percentage of population educated upto
primary, upper primary, secondary, higher secondary, graduation and higher levels in the
country, as per Census 2011 is at Annexure-II.
(d) In order to improve the literacy rate in the country, the scheme of Saakshar Bharat was
implemented in the rural areas of 410 districts in 26 States and one UT that had adult female
literacy rate of 50 per cent and below as per Census 2001, and including left wing extremism
affected districts, irrespective of their literacy rates, with special focus on women and other
disadvantaged groups, since October 2009. The scheme was extended upto 31.03.2018 and
ceased to operate from 01.04.2018. The scheme of Saakshar Bharat is proposed to be
replaced with a new scheme for Adult Education.
In addition, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme is also
being implemented in conjunction with the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory
Education Act, 2009 for universalisation of elementary education for all children in the 6-14
age group.
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