Literacy Rate in India: 1951-2001

Year

Persons

Male

Female
1951 (a)
18.33
27.16
8.86
1961 (b)
28.31
40.40
15.34
1971 (c)
34.45
45.95
21.97
1981 (d)
43.56
56.37
29.75
 
(41.42)
(53.45)
(28.46)
1991 (e)
52.21
64.13
39.29

2001(f)

64.84

75.26

53.67

(a) Excluding the population of Jammu & Kashmir, Pondicherry and the then NEFA, Dadar & Nagar Haveli and Goa, Daman and Diu.
(b) Excluding Goa, Daman & Diu, and the then NEFA.
(c) Paper 2 of 1983 series I.
(d) Excluding Assam.
(e) Excluding Jammu & Kashmir.
(f)  Census of India -2001

               Number of Literates and Non-literates in INDIA  : 1951-2001
Year
Total
Population
(All Ages)
Age 
Group
Total Population
Non-
literates
Literates
1951
361.09
-
-
300.09
60.19
1961
438.93
5+
372.84
267.32
105.52
1971
548.16
5+
468.60
307.19
161.41
1981*
665.29
5+
581.78
340.75
241.03
   
7+
541.04
305.31
235.73
1991**
846.30
7+
688.16
328.88
359.28

2001***

1028.61 7+ 864.79 304.11 560.68

*       Excludes Assam where 1981 census was not held
**     Excludes Jammu & Kashmir where 1991 census was not held
***   Census of India - 2001

Gender Disparity in Literacy Rates in  INDIA : 1961 - 2001
Year
Age Group
Literacy Rates
Male
Literacy Rates
Female
Male/ Female difference in literacy rate
(% age points)
1961
5 and over
 40.40
 15.34
25.06 
1971
5 and over
  45.95 
  21.97 
23.98 
   1981*
5 and over
 53.45
  28.46 
24.99 
   1981*
 7 and over
 56.37
  29.75 
26.62 
      1991**
 7 and over
  64.13 
  39.29 
24.84 

2001***

7 and over

75.26 53.67 21.59

*      Excludes Assam
**    Excludes Jammu & Kashmir
***  Census of India - 2001 


Urban-Rural Differential in Literacy Rates in INDIA : 1961-2001


 
Year
Age Group
Literacy Rate
Urban Areas
Literacy Rate
Rural Areas
Difference in rural/ urban areas (% age points)
1961
5 and over
54.43
22.46
31.97
1971
5 and over
60.22
27.89
32.33
1981*
5 and over
64.85
34.04
30.81
1981*
7 and over
67.20
36.00
31.20
1991**
7 and over
73.08
44.69
28.39
2001***
7 and over
 79.92 58.74 21.18

*      Excludes Assam
**    Excludes Jammu & Kashmir
*** Census of India - 2001

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