Sep 08, 2025
India's journey in literacy has been remarkable, rising from just 14% at independence to around 80.9% in 2025 for people aged 7 and above. However, literacy rates vary widely across states and union territories, revealing pockets of excellence as well as challenges.
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1. Mizoram – 98.2% – Declared the first “fully literate” state after surpassing the 95% literacy threshold
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2. Lakshadweep – 97.3%
3. Nagaland – 95.7%
4. Kerala – 95.3% Known for its consistently high literacy and excellent education systems
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5. Meghalaya – 94.2%
Other literacy leaders include Tripura (93.7%), Chandigarh (93.7%), Goa (93.6%), Puducherry (92.7%), and Manipur (92%).
Andhra Pradesh – 72.6%
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Bihar – 74.3%
Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh also are below the national average, with literacy rates mostly between 72% and 77%.
The overall literacy rate of India continues to rise, boosted by government programmes and increasing awareness.
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States with higher literacy rates generally show better socio-economic indicators and quality of life.
Bridging literacy gaps remains critical for inclusive growth, especially in states lagging behind.
Literacy empowers individuals with knowledge and skills. It drives economic progress, health awareness, and social development. Education reforms and targeted initiatives are key to improving the literacy landscape nationwide.
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