Policy Update
Anto Mariya M M
Background
International Literacy Day is celebrated every year on September 8 to underline the importance of literacy in human development and societal growth. The World Conference of Ministers of Education on the Eradication of Illiteracy, held in Tehran in 1965, sparked the inspiration for the global celebration of a literacy day. In 1966, UNESCO officially declared September 8 as International Literacy Day.
Since 1967, the world has observed International Literacy Day to draw attention to the fact that, despite the transformative potential of literacy, a large population of the world remains illiterate. According to a UNESCO estimate, around 700 million people, meaning at least two out of every five adults over the age of 15, were unable to read and write in the 1950s. Literacy, being fundamental to a person’s building of knowledge, skills, and values, assumes paramount importance. The greater capability of literacy includes better access to employment opportunities, greater awareness, and social integration. International Literacy Day, thus, stresses literacy as a cardinal right of all humans.
International Literacy Day Theme: 2025
The theme for this year’s International Literacy Day – ‘Promoting literacy in the digital era’ stresses the significance of literacy to navigate the rapidly digitalising world. According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, at least 754 million adults worldwide cannot read and write as of 2024. It is feared that these 754 million people would face more challenges and constraints in the digital era due to a lack of literacy, causing double marginalisation. Realising the evolving aspect of the concept of literacy, the themes of literacy day over the years have focused on narrowing the digital divide, transforming the learning spaces, fostering multilingual education, etc.
Digital literacy has become pertinent in the current era, where the majority of public services have been digitalised. With the dawn of the ‘New Age of AI’, there is also an insistence on attaining AI literacy, the skills to understand, use and interact with AI responsibly and effectively. While the world is advancing towards digitalisation and the use of Artificial Intelligence for basic services, there is an urgent need to ensure that the over 754 million people, that is one in every ten people in the world, are not left behind. While any information around the globe is one search/prompt away, a large chunk of the world’s population is outside of these digital practices and innovations.
Digitalisation also poses several risks, such as privacy concerns, surveillance issues, and so on. But, being able to read and write, one can garner information on these challenges, increasing their awareness. The literate person also becomes exposed to various societal issues and realities, calling for more inclusive and transparent administrative structures. Moving from literacy to digital literacy stresses that no single person can be left out of the realm of the digital revolution. Thus, the current year’s theme is highly relevant and critical for socio-economic empowerment and transformation.
India’s Concerns
India’s literacy rate has seen significant growth over the past few decades. In 1951, India’s literate population accounted for only 18% of the total population. The development of schools and various government programmes ensuring the right to education, such as compulsory and free education till the age of 14, and mid-day meal schemes, has contributed to an increase in the literate population in India.
The overall literacy rate of India stands at 80.09% for the population aged seven and above, based on the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24. The concerns for India on the occasion of the International Literacy Day, 2025, are differences in literacy across urban-rural, gender, and regional lines, hindering equitable development. The top three performing states are compared with the bottom three in each category to highlight the disparity in literacy across the nation.
In India, the disparity between rural and urban literacy is evident, pointing out the relatively lesser access to educational infrastructure in rural India. The rural literacy rate is 77.5% while the urban literacy rate is higher at 88.9% as per PLFS. The urban areas have more schools, better-trained teachers, and infrastructure, while students from rural areas face socio-economic constraints in attending schools.
The male literacy rate in India is higher than the female literacy rate. There is a 12-point difference between them, with the male literacy rate standing at 87.2% and the female literacy rate remaining 74.6%. It shows the substantial gender gap in Indian society.
While states like Mizoram, Kerala, and Tripura have been declared as fully literate states, other states like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan are lagging. It depicts the uneven development across Indian states.
Digital literacy is increasingly relevant in today’s world. But only 38% of households in India are digitally literate, according to a report by the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Rural-urban disparities further deepen the concern, as in urban areas, digital literacy is relatively higher at 61% as compared to just 25% in rural areas. With the government focusing on ‘Digital India’ through initiatives like Digilocker, UMANG, and the promotion of digital payments through UPI, the digital divide in India curtails its outreach.
Way Forward
“Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope.” – Kofi Annan.
As the above statement by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan points out, literacy through education acts as a ladder from despair to development. India has shown progress in literacy since its independence. With three of its states declared fully literate, the aim must be to attain full literacy nationwide. In order to ensure full literacy, the disparities between urban and rural India, as well as between males and females, must be addressed.
Developing more schools and better accessibility to education, awareness about the benefits of literacy as an incentive for learning, are necessary measures to increase literacy in rural India. Social stigmas around women’s education must be broken, especially in rural areas. Government interventions to promote women’s education and prevent school dropouts are essential to reduce the gender gap in literacy.
India’s definition of literacy is limited to the ability to read and write with understanding in any language; it must expand to include digital and computer skills. The COVID-19 pandemic mandated online learning, but many students from disadvantaged groups suffered due to a lack of resources. Aligning with the 2025 theme of International Literacy Day, adapting learning practices and spaces to the digital era is inevitable. As India heads towards International Literacy Day, 2025, these remedial steps would ensure India reaches full literacy sooner.
Reference
- Dattopant Thengadi National Board for Workers Education & Development, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Govt. of India. (n.d.). Digital Literacy. https://dtnbwed.cbwe.gov.in/images/upload/Digital-Literacy_3ZNK.pdf
- Gohain, M. P. (2025, June 3). India clears literacy exam with 80.9%, but gender & urban-rural gaps remain. The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-clears-literacy-exam-with-80-9-but-gender-urban-rural-gaps-remain/articleshow/121580031.cms
- Gupta, S. (2025, April 15). What is literacy rate? The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/children/what-is-literacy-rate/article69402938.ece
- UNESCO. (n.d.-a). International Literacy Day. International Days. https://www.unesco.org/en/days/literacy
- UNESCO. (n.d.-b). What you need to know about literacy. Literacy. https://www.unesco.org/en/literacy/need-know
About the contributor: Anto Mariya M M is a research intern at IMPRI. She is currently pursuing her postgraduate degree in Political Science at Madras Christian College. Her interests include International Relations, Geopolitics and Public Policy.
Acknowledgement: The author extends her sincere gratitude to the IMPRI team and Ms. Aasthaba Jadeja for her invaluable guidance throughout the process.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
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