75 years, 75% literacy: India's long fight against illiteracy

NEW DELHI: When India got independence from the British rule, the country was left with an overwhelming population of people who could not read or write.

Just about 2 in 10 Indians were literate back in 1950. In 2022, the figures have nearly reversed.

From a literacy rate of mere 18.3% in 1951 to 74.4% in 2018, India has come a long way in establishing a well-educated nation.



According to figures till 2018, India's male literacy rate stood at 82.4% and female literacy rate stood at 65.8%.

Though both male and female literacy have risen steadily over the years, the wide gender gap prevails even today.

However, the recent increase in primary school enrolment of girls is likely to bridge the gap between male and female literacy in the years to come.

On the flip side, India is also home to the largest number of illiterate people in the world with over 25% of the population still uneducated.



With the new education policy aiming to achieve 100% literacy in the next decade or so, the country still has a long way to go before its population truly becomes literate.


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