India's literacy rate rose to 72.98 % in 2011: Union Government

Union government has announced that India’s literacy rate has risen to 72.98%. It was informed by Union Minister Human Resource Development (HRD) Smriti Irani while replying to the supplementaries in the Lok Sabha.
Union governments reply informed that

• As per population census 2011, the number of illiterates have declined to 28.27 crore from 30.41 crore in 2011 in the country.
• Country’s literacy rate has risen to 72.98 per cent in 2011 compared to 64.84 per cent in 2001.
• The literacy rate in the country has risen after launching of flagship schemes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan in 2001-02, enforcement of the Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act 2009 and Saakshar Bharat programme.

Government also informed that under the centrally sponsored scheme- Saakshar Bharat for Adult Education and Skill Development, the promotion of adult literacy with special focus on women, SCs, STs, minorities and other disadvantaged groups was undertaken in rural areas of 410 districts.
The Saakshar Bharat Scheme’s objective is to raise the literacy level to 80 per cent and reduce the gender gap by the end of XII Five Year plan i.e. by the end of 2017.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2015