International Literacy Day 2020 theme, significance & history

International Literacy Day 2020 will be observed on Tuesday, September 8. This year's theme is "

Literacy teaching

and learning in the COVID-19 crisis and beyond" which focuses on the role of educators and changing pedagogies. The theme highlights literacy learning in a lifelong learning perspective, and therefore, mainly focuses on youth and adults. The Day will also give an opportunity to analyse the role of educators, as well as formulate effective policies, systems, governance and measures that can support educators and learning.


Since 1967, International Literacy Day (ILD) celebrations have taken place annually around the world to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights, and to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society.

As per the latest report by UNESCO, at least 773 million adults worldwide lack basic literacy skills even today while 617 million children and adolescents are not achieving minimum proficiency levels in reading and mathematics.

Literacy Rate in India

The latest National Statistical Office (NSO) survey data shows that with 96.2 per cent literacy, Kerala has once again emerged as the most literate state in India, while Andhra Pradesh featured at the bottom with a rate of 66.4 per cent. At all-India level, the male literacy rate is higher at 84.7 per cent compared to 70.3 per cent among women.

The report on 'Household Social Consumption: Education in India as part of 75th round of National Sample Survey - from July 2017 to June 2018' provides for state-wise detail of literacy rate among the persons aged seven years and above.

International Literacy Day 2020 in India

On the occasion of International Literacy Day 2020,

Union Education

Minister Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank tweeted "There can be no joy greater than reading and no friend greater than knowledge" Hon'ble PM Shri
@narendramodi On this #InternationalLiteracyDay, we promise to work towards achieving 100% literacy by complying with the reforms within

the National Education Policy 2020

."