India has made significant strides in improving its literacy rate, with the overall literacy rate reaching 80.9% according to the latest data from 2023-24. This signifies considerable progress since independence when the literacy rate was a mere 14%. The government considers a person literate if they are aged 7 years and above and can read and write with understanding in any language.
However, a closer look reveals persistent disparities that need attention. While the country is moving towards universal literacy, a gender gap and an urban-rural divide continue to be significant challenges.
Gender Disparity:
Despite improvements in female literacy, a notable gap remains between men and women. The Global Gender Gap Report 2024 indicates a 17.2 percentage point difference in literacy rates between men and women. This disparity contributes to India's lower ranking (129th out of 146 countries) in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Index. While enrolment levels in primary, secondary, and tertiary education are generally high for women, the increase has been modest, and a significant proportion of women still lack access to education. In rural India, while female literacy has improved from 57.93% in 2011 to 70.4% in 2023-24, it still lags behind male literacy, which stands at 84.7%. The lower female literacy rate negatively impacts family planning and population stabilization efforts.
Urban-Rural Divide:
Literacy rates in urban areas are significantly higher than in rural areas. While urban areas boast a literacy rate of 90%, rural areas lag behind at 77%. However, rural India has witnessed a 10% increase in literacy over the past decade, indicating progress in bridging this gap.
Government Initiatives and Challenges:
The Indian government has launched several programs to address illiteracy, particularly among adults. The "New India Literacy Programme" (NILP), also known as ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society) aims to empower adults aged 15 and above who missed formal schooling. It is a centrally sponsored scheme aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. ULLAS focuses not only on foundational literacy and numeracy but also on critical life skills, vocational skills development, basic education, and continuing education.
ULLAS operates on a volunteerism model, encouraging community involvement. The program utilizes technology, with online teaching, learning, and assessment systems accessible through the DIKSHA platform and a mobile app. As of early 2024, ULLAS had already benefitted over 77 lakh people nationwide who appeared for the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT). The ULLAS Mobile App has garnered over 1.50 crore learners and 37 lakh volunteer teachers.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain. A significant number of adults, particularly those above 50 years of age, are still illiterate. Some states, such as Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, have the lowest literacy rates and require focused interventions. Moreover, while primary and secondary enrolment rates have improved, retaining girls in schools, especially at the secondary level, remains a challenge.
Moving Forward:
To achieve universal literacy, India needs to address the gender and urban-rural gaps with targeted interventions. This includes:
By addressing these challenges and continuing to invest in education, India can achieve its goal of a fully literate society.
