Literacy constitutes the backbone of development during a progressing country like India. It enhances the standard of life, awareness, and skills of individuals. Literacy is the ability to read, write, and comprehend information so as to speak effectively. From reading the newspaper to understanding road signs, literacy is that the only tool that helps you create a sense of your surroundings. it's empowering and fuels social and human development.

Literacy is the inspiration for basic education for all. The knowledge of social conventions combined with problem-solving capacities of individuals is what determines them as being literate. In India, while the adult literacy rate is measured for people aged above 15 years, the speed of youth literacy is measured for people aged between 15-24 years.

According to the 2011 Census, a person aged seven and above and has the power to read and write is taken into account literate. the typical literacy rate in India stands at 74.04%. While Kerala has the very best literacy rate in India at 93.91%, Bihar has the smallest amount literacy rate in India at 63.82%. According to Census 2011, India managed to realize a literacy rate of 74.04% as against 64.80% in 2001. This notable shift also highlights a rise in female literacy over the years. While the feminine literacy rate in India as per Census 2001 was 53.7%, Census 2011 recorded it at 65.5%. Though not radical but some progress has been made in improving literacy in India especially after the implementation of free education in rural areas for both men and ladies. States and Union Territories like Mizoram, Tripura, Goa, Kerala, Puducherry, Chandigarh, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu, capital Territory of Delhi and therefore the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have shown massive or great improvement within the last one decade. These states have a literacy rate of just about 85% consistent with the 2011 Census.

Avinash Sinha

Birla School, Pilani