Top 10 States by Literacy Rate in India (1951-2019)

The graph shows the literacy rate of the 28 states of India (Telangana excluded) from 1951-2019. Union territories have not been included
Actual figures are available only till 2011. Numbers from 2012 to 2019 are extrapolated.

Kerala has the highest literacy rate in India.

Literacy rate is one of the keys to measure socio-economic progress. For calculating effective literacy rate, population aged 7 years and above is taken into account. India had a literacy rate of around 12% at the time of independence, and through multi-tier efforts, has now attained a literacy rate of 72.99% as per 2011 census. However, the current literacy rate of India is still way below the world average of 84%.

As per 2011 census, the state of Kerala has the highest literacy rate at 94.00%. Male literacy rate in Kerala is 96.11% whereas female literacy rate is 92.07%. The state has registered a decadal growth of 3.14 percentage point from 2001 census.

Mizoram comes at the second place with 91.33% of the population being literate as per 2011 census. Male literacy rate is 93.35% whereas female literacy rate is 89.27%. The state of Mizoram has registered a decadal growth of 2.53 percentage point.

Goa comes at third place with a literacy rate of 88.70% as per 2011 census. Male literacy rate is 92.65% whereas female literacy rate is 84.66%. The state has registered a remarkable decadal growth of 6.69 percentage point.

Goa is closely followed by Tripura with a literacy rate of 87.22% as per 2011 census. Male literacy rate is 91.53% whereas female literacy rate is 82.73%. The state has registered a decadal growth of 14.03 percentage point.