According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24 published by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, India’s total literacy rate in India for persons aged 7 years and above stands at 80.9%. This marks a significant improvement from 73% recorded in the 2011 Census and 77.7% in the PLFS 2017-18 survey.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan confirmed this figure on International Literacy Day 2025 (September 8, 2025), emphasizing that literacy is a pathway to empowerment, dignity, and self-reliance. The World Bank’s 2023 data pegs India’s adult literacy rate (age 15+) at 81.7%.
Despite progress, significant gaps remain. The urban literacy rate (88.9%) is 11.4 percentage points higher than rural (77.5%). The national male-female gap stands at 12.6 points — with male literacy at 87.2% and female literacy at 74.6%.
(PLFS 2023-24)
Rate
Rate
(Male – Female)
Urban vs Rural Literacy
Source: PLFS 2023-24, National Statistical Office, MoSPI, Govt of India
Fully Literate States & UTs in India (2025 Update)
Under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (New India Literacy Programme), a state or UT is declared “fully literate” when it crosses 95% functional literacy. As of September 2025, five states and UTs have achieved this milestone:
Source: Ministry of Education, Govt of India — announced on International Literacy Day, September 8, 2025 (PIB release). Ladakh is the first UT to achieve fully literate status.
India’s Literacy in 2026 — Where We Stand vs the World
As of 2026, India’s literacy rate of 80.9% (PLFS 2023-24) places it below the global average of 86.3% (World Population Review, 2026 data). While India has made remarkable progress — jumping from 73% in 2011 to 80.9% in just over a decade — it still lags behind most developed nations that have near-universal literacy above 96%.
The World Bank’s most recent data (2023) records India’s adult literacy rate (age 15+) at 81.7%. India is preparing for the 2026 Census — the first national census since 2011 — which will provide the most comprehensive and updated literacy data across all states, districts, and demographic groups. Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar has urged further efforts to ensure measurable improvement by the time the new census data is collected.
India vs Neighbours & Global Average
| Country | Adult Literacy (15+) | Youth Literacy (15-24) |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 92.3% | 98.8% |
| China | 97.3% | 99.8% |
| India | 81.7% | 91.7% |
| Bangladesh | 74.9% | 93.3% |
| Pakistan | 58.0% | 75.6% |
| Global Average | 86.3% | 91.4% |
Source: World Bank (2023), UNESCO Institute for Statistics, World Population Review (2026)
India’s youth literacy rate (age 15-24) is 91.7% — significantly higher than the overall adult rate and close to the global average. This indicates that younger generations are far more literate than older ones, and India’s overall literacy figure will naturally improve as these cohorts age into the adult population.
What to Expect in 2026
India is preparing for the first national census since 2011. This will provide the most comprehensive literacy data in 15 years — covering every district, village, and demographic group. The results will replace all current estimates with actual ground-level data.
The National Education Policy 2020 aims for universal foundational literacy by Class 3 by 2026-27 and complete adult literacy by 2030 (SDG Goal 4). The 5+3+3+4 education restructuring is being implemented across states.
Modern literacy now extends beyond reading and writing. India is integrating digital, financial, and civic literacy into education through platforms like DIKSHA, e-Pathshala, and the ULLAS mobile app — preparing citizens for an AI-augmented economy.
World Bank estimates that every 1% increase in literacy correlates with up to 2.5% rise in GDP. With India targeting 100% literacy, the economic impact could be transformative — especially for lagging states like Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.
The combination of the upcoming 2026 Census, NEP 2020 implementation, expanding digital infrastructure, and continued schemes like the Right to Education Act (which provides free primary education to millions of disadvantaged children) positions India to potentially cross the 85% literacy mark by the next PLFS cycle — closing the gap with the global average of 86.3%.
Literacy Rate in India 2026 — State Wise Complete Table
Complete state-wise literacy rate for all major Indian states based on PLFS 2023-24 (NSO). Data for persons aged 7 years and above.
| Rank | State | Total (%) | Male (%) | Female (%) | Gender Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kerala | 96.2% | 96.7% | 94.0% | 2.7% |
| 2 | Goa | 90.7% | 94.2% | 87.5% | 6.7% |
| 3 | Himachal Pradesh | 89.5% | 94.5% | 84.6% | 9.9% |
| 4 | Uttarakhand | 87.6% | 93.8% | 81.0% | 12.8% |
| 5 | Maharashtra | 85.5% | 91.2% | 79.6% | 11.6% |
| 6 | Tamil Nadu | 85.5% | 90.5% | 80.8% | 9.7% |
| 7 | Punjab | 85.0% | 88.2% | 81.5% | 6.7% |
| 8 | Haryana | 84.8% | 91.0% | 77.8% | 13.2% |
| 9 | Gujarat | 84.6% | 91.4% | 77.0% | 14.4% |
| 10 | Karnataka | 82.8% | 88.5% | 76.8% | 11.7% |
| 11 | West Bengal | 82.5% | 87.0% | 77.9% | 9.1% |
| 12 | Odisha | 79.0% | 86.2% | 71.8% | 14.4% |
| 13 | Chhattisgarh | 78.5% | 86.5% | 70.4% | 16.1% |
| 14 | Uttar Pradesh | 78.2% | 85.8% | 69.7% | 16.1% |
| 15 | Jharkhand | 76.9% | 85.5% | 67.8% | 17.7% |
| 16 | Telangana | 76.9% | 84.0% | 70.0% | 14.0% |
| 17 | Rajasthan | 75.8% | 86.0% | 63.7% | 22.3% |
| 18 | Madhya Pradesh | 75.2% | 83.6% | 66.3% | 17.3% |
| 19 | Bihar | 74.3% | 82.2% | 65.8% | 16.4% |
| 20 | Andhra Pradesh | 72.6% | 80.0% | 65.5% | 14.5% |
Source: PLFS 2023-24, NSO, MoSPI, Govt of India. Age 7+. NE states & UTs listed separately below.
Literacy Rate — Northeast States & Union Territories
Northeast States
| State | Total | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mizoram 🏆 | 98.2% | 99.2% | 97.0% |
| Nagaland | 95.7% | 96.5% | 94.8% |
| Tripura 🏆 | 95.6% | 97.0% | 94.2% |
| Meghalaya | 94.2% | 94.5% | 93.8% |
| Manipur | 89.4% | 93.8% | 85.2% |
| Sikkim | 86.6% | 90.5% | 82.4% |
| Assam | 85.0% | 89.0% | 80.9% |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 84.2% | 88.5% | 79.5% |
Union Territories
| Union Territory | Total (%) |
|---|---|
| Lakshadweep | 97.3% |
| Ladakh 🏆 | 97.0% |
| Delhi | 88.7% |
| Chandigarh | 87.8% |
| A&N Islands | 86.6% |
| Puducherry | 86.3% |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 77.3% |
🏆 = Declared fully literate under ULLAS programme. Source: PLFS 2023-24 & NSO estimates. Some UT data based on 2011 Census where PLFS sample was insufficient.
Highest vs Lowest Literacy States in India
Top 5 Most Literate
Bottom 5 Least Literate
The gap between the most literate (Mizoram 98.2%) and least literate (Andhra Pradesh 72.6%) is 25.6 percentage points — highlighting vast regional inequality in educational access across India.
Gender Gap in Literacy — Biggest vs Smallest
Smallest Gender Gaps
Widest Gender Gaps
India’s Literacy Journey — 1951 to 2024
| Year | Total | Male | Female | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | 18.3% | 27.2% | 8.9% | Census 1951 |
| 1971 | 34.5% | 46.0% | 22.0% | Census 1971 |
| 1991 | 52.2% | 64.1% | 39.3% | Census 1991 |
| 2001 | 64.8% | 75.3% | 53.7% | Census 2001 |
| 2011 | 73.0% | 80.9% | 64.6% | Census 2011 |
| 2017-18 | 77.7% | 84.7% | 70.3% | PLFS 2017-18 |
| 2023-24 | 80.9% | 87.2% | 74.6% | PLFS 2023-24 |
India’s literacy has grown from 18.3% in 1951 to 80.9% in 2023-24 — a 62.6 point increase over 73 years. Female literacy saw the most dramatic rise: from 8.9% to 74.6%. No census has been conducted since 2011; PLFS is the current official source.
Key Insights & Government Initiatives
Why Northeast States Lead
Mizoram (98.2%), Nagaland (95.7%), and Tripura (95.6%) outperform most larger states. Reasons include a strong tradition of missionary and church-based schools, community-driven learning culture, smaller populations enabling comprehensive outreach, and the impact of ULLAS programme. Mizoram and Tripura were both declared fully literate in 2025 under ULLAS.
Why Some States Lag Behind
Andhra Pradesh (72.6%), Bihar (74.3%), and Madhya Pradesh (75.2%) remain below average. Contributing factors: high poverty forcing children into labor, inadequate rural school infrastructure, large gender disparities with barriers like early marriage for girls, and vast rural areas with limited school access.
Gujarat’s Literacy Position
Gujarat ranks 9th among major states at 84.6% with a 14.4% gender gap (male 91.4%, female 77.0%). The state’s RTE Gujarat programme provides free private school education to nearly 88,000 children annually, with over 4.35 lakh cumulative students served as of 2022-23.
Major Government Programmes Driving Literacy
ULLAS (2022-2027): India’s flagship adult literacy programme with ₹1,037.90 crore budget. Has enrolled 3 crore+ learners, 42 lakh volunteers, and achieved 90% pass rate in FLNAT assessments. Learning materials in 26 languages.
Right to Education Act 2009: Guarantees free education for ages 6-14, reserves 25% of private school seats for disadvantaged children. Gujarat’s RTE implementation is among the largest in India.
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan: Integrated scheme covering pre-primary to Class 12, focusing on infrastructure and teacher quality.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: Targets female literacy through awareness campaigns and financial incentives for girls’ education.
NEP 2020: National Education Policy restructuring education into 5+3+3+4 system, emphasizing universal foundational literacy by Class 3. India aims for universal literacy by 2030 (SDG Goal 4).
Frequently Asked Questions
Data Sources: PLFS 2023-24 (NSO, MoSPI, Govt of India), Census of India 2011, Press Information Bureau (PIB) — ILD 2025 release, DD News, World Bank, GKToday. Age 7+ unless noted. ULLAS data from Ministry of Education announcements (Sept 2025).
Disclaimer: Informational article. Verify from mospi.gov.in and data.gov.in for most current figures.