Consider the following statements about literacy in India:
1. A formal education or minimum educational standard is necessary to be considered as literate in India.
2. Literacy of an individual must be tested in the official language of India.
Which of the above is/are CORRECT?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
Answer — (4) None of the above is correct.
Explanation —
Both of the above statements are incorrect for the following reasons:
Statement 1 is incorrect: To be considered literate in India, no formal education or minimum educational qualification (such as having passed the 5th or 8th grade) is required. According to census standards, any person aged 7 years or older who can read and write with understanding in any language is considered 'literate.' A person who has never attended school but knows how to read and write is also considered literate.
Statement 2 is incorrect: It is not mandatory for literacy to be tested solely in India's official languages (Hindi or English). If a person is capable of reading and writing in any language (even if it is their regional mother tongue), they are categorized as literate.
Additional Points —
Age Limit: The literacy rate is calculated only for the population aged 7 years and above. Children aged 0–6 years are considered 'illiterate,' regardless of whether they are attending school.
According to the 2011 Census, India's literacy rate was 74.04%. Within this figure, male literacy was recorded at 82.14%, and female literacy at 65.46%.
Potential Exam Questions and Answers —
Question: Which state in India has the lowest female literacy rate?
Answer: Bihar (according to the 2011 Census).
Question: Which was the first state in India to be declared 'fully literate'?
Answer: Keralam.