Social Disparity in Literacy in India

India has not only the highest number of illiterate persons in the world but also a big social disparity in literacy rates. According to the 2011 Census of India, India has an overall literacy rate of 72.98% (80.88% for males and 64.63% for females) comprising 67.77% (77.15% for males and 57.93% for females) for rural areas and 84.11% (88.76% for males and 79.11% for females) for urban areas. More than one-fourth population-comprising one-third population in rural areas and one-sixth population in urban areas were non-literate in 2011. There is a wide gap in the literacy rates of scheduled caste (SC), scheduled tribe (ST) and general population despite a number of serious efforts made by the national government and also by the United Nations/international agencies. This gap is a threat in achieving the goal of a literate society. Thus, it is a matter of grave concern and needs sincere attention. This paper analyses social disparity in literacy in different social groups, maps and presents future projections of literacy rates of SCs and STs to achieve universal literacy.