India Literacy Rate — Historical Data 1951 to 2024
Official Census literacy data for India from 1951 to 2011, plus ASER survey-based estimates for recent years — national, male, female, rural, and urban breakdown.
India Literacy Rate — Census Data 1951 to 2011
India Literacy Rate — Progress 1951 to 2011 (Official Census)
Source: Census of India 1951–2011, Registrar General of India. All figures are official Census data.
| Census Year | Total Literacy (%) | Male (%) | Female (%) | Gender Gap (pp) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | 18.33% | 27.16% | 8.86% | 18.3 | Census of India 1951 |
| 1961 | 28.30% | 40.40% | 15.35% | 25.1 | Census of India 1961 |
| 1971 | 34.45% | 45.96% | 21.97% | 24.0 | Census of India 1971 |
| 1981 | 43.57% | 56.38% | 29.76% | 26.6 | Census of India 1981 |
| 1991 | 52.21% | 64.13% | 39.29% | 24.8 | Census of India 1991 |
| 2001 | 64.83% | 75.27% | 53.67% | 21.6 | Census of India 2001 |
| 2011 | 74.04% | 82.14% | 65.46% | 16.7 | Census of India 2011 |
| ~2023 (Survey) | ~77.7% | ~84% | ~70% | ~14 | ASER 2023 / NSO est. — Survey-based, not Census |
pp = percentage points. Census data (1951–2011) is official. 2023 figures are survey-based estimates from ASER and NSO — different methodology from Census; not directly comparable. Gender gap shows male minus female literacy rate.
Literacy Rate by State — Census 2011 (Selected States)
Source: Census of India 2011, Registrar General of India. Kerala holds the highest state-level literacy rate. Bihar had the lowest among major states in 2011.
• Census of India 2011 — Literacy Data, Registrar General of India, Ministry of Home Affairs (censusindia.gov.in)
• Census of India 2001, 1991, 1981, 1971, 1961, 1951 — Historical literacy data
• ASER 2023 — Annual Status of Education Report, Pratham (asercentre.org) — survey-based estimate
Last verified: 2024 (Census 2011 figures are unchanged — next official data pending 2021 Census release)
What is India’s literacy rate?
India’s official literacy rate is 74.04% (Census 2011) — the most recent official figure. Male literacy is 82.14% and female literacy is 65.46%. The 2021 Census has been delayed; survey-based estimates (ASER 2023) suggest the rate has risen to approximately 77–78%, but this is not an official Census figure.
Which state has the highest literacy rate in India?
Kerala has the highest literacy rate among Indian states at 93.91% (Census 2011), followed by Lakshadweep (92.28%) and Mizoram (91.58%). Bihar had the lowest among major states at 61.80%.
How is literacy defined in India’s Census?
The Census of India defines a literate person as someone aged 7 years and above who can both read and write with understanding in any language. Merely being able to read but not write does not qualify. Children below 7 years are excluded from the literacy denominator.