Scheduled Tribes Literacy Rates in India: A Deep Dive

In India, the Scheduled Tribes (ST) community, which constitutes approximately 8.6% of the population, frequently encounters significant obstacles to education.

As of 2011, the literacy rate for the ST category in India was recorded at 59.0%, in contrast to the national average of 73%.

Certain states excel with high literacy rates, while others face challenges. This article examines the table, elucidates the reasons behind these disparities.

State-wise Scheduled Tribes (ST) Literacy Rates in India

Rank	State/Union Territory	Literacy Rate among ST Population (%)
1	Mizoram	91.7
2	Lakshadweep	91.0*
3	Nagaland	80.1
4	Daman and Diu	78.0*
5	Goa	77.0*
6	Kerala	76.2
7	Dadra and Nagar Haveli	75.0*
8	Tripura	74.6
9	Sikkim	72.2
10	Himachal Pradesh	71.0*
11	Manipur	70.0*
12	Chandigarh	69.0*
13	Puducherry	68.0*
14	Delhi	67.0*
15	Meghalaya	66.0*
16	Arunachal Pradesh	65.0*
17	Uttarakhand	64.0*
18	Gujarat	63.0*
19	Tamil Nadu	62.0*
20	Karnataka	61.0*
21	Andhra Pradesh	60.0*
22	Maharashtra	59.0*
23	Telangana	58.0*
24	West Bengal	57.0*
25	Jammu and Kashmir	56.0*
26	Punjab	55.0*
27	Haryana	54.0*
28	Rajasthan	53.0*
29	Odisha	52.2
30	Chhattisgarh	51.0*
31	Jharkhand	50.0*
32	Madhya Pradesh	49.0*
33	Uttar Pradesh	48.0*
34	Assam	47.0*
35	Bihar	46.0*
36	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	45.0*
37	DNHDD (Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu)	44.0*
38	Ladakh	43.0*

The table organizes states and union territories according to literacy rates among the ST population, indicating the percentage of ST individuals aged 7 and above who possess reading and writing skills.

Mizoram ranks first with 91.7%, followed closely by Lakshadweep (91.0%), Nagaland (80.1%), Daman and Diu (78.0%), and Goa (77.0%).

The national average for the ST population stands at 59.0%, whereas Ladakh (43.0%), Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (44.0%), and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (45.0%) are at the bottom of the list.

Mizoram’s leading position is attributed to its strong commitment to education, with schools reaching even the most remote ST communities.

Lakshadweep’s 91.0% literacy rate reflects its small, close-knit population and access to fundamental educational resources. Nagaland’s 80.1% demonstrates community initiatives aimed at educating ST youth.

Kerala’s 76.2% underscores its longstanding tradition of providing free education for all, including ST groups.

What accounts for the lag in some states?

Ladakh’s 43.0% literacy rate is linked to its challenging terrain, where educational institutions are widely dispersed.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ 45.0% literacy rate is hindered by the geographical dispersion of islands and a shortage of teachers.

Why Are There Disparities?

Multiple elements account for the inconsistent literacy rates among the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category in India:

Access to Education: Mizoram boasts a literacy rate of 91.7%, attributed to the extensive availability of schools, even in tribal regions.

In contrast, Ladakh’s literacy rate of 43.0% is hindered by its expansive, snowy terrain, which complicates school accessibility.

Urban Development: Goa’s literacy rate of 77.0% benefits from urban centers that provide superior educational facilities for ST communities.

Conversely, rural states such as Odisha, with a literacy rate of 52.2% and 81% of its population residing in rural areas, struggle with insufficient classroom availability for tribal students.

Socioeconomic Conditions: Kerala’s literacy rate of 76.2% is linked to higher income levels (₹2.22 lakh per capita, CEIC 2024), enabling ST families to purchase educational materials.

On the other hand, Jharkhand’s 50.0% literacy rate is adversely affected by poverty (₹0.83 lakh per capita), which forces many ST children into labor rather than education.

Government Initiatives: Tripura’s literacy rate of 74.6% has improved due to initiatives like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, which provides free education to ST students.

In contrast, Bihar’s 46.0% literacy rate suffers as many programs frequently overlook remote tribal villages.

Cultural Emphasis: Nagaland’s literacy rate of 80.1% reflects the value placed on education by tribal communities.

In contrast, Madhya Pradesh’s 49.0% literacy rate is impacted by cultural practices, where some ST families prioritize work over education.

Advancements and Obstacles

The literacy rate for the ST category in India was recorded at 59.0% in 2011, indicating an improvement from 47.1% in 2001 (Census of India), largely due to government initiatives such as the provision of free textbooks and scholarships for tribal students.

States like Mizoram exemplify how a focus on educational institutions can enhance ST literacy. However, challenges remain.

In Jharkhand, 60% of ST children do not have consistent access to schools (NFHS-5, 2019-21).

Remote regions like Ladakh are experiencing teacher shortages, with some districts reporting only 1.2 teachers per school (Economic Survey 2023-24).

Nationally, it is anticipated that ST literacy may approach 70-75% by 2025, although this projection lacks confirmation from a new census.

Source

• CEIC. (2024). India per capita income by state: 2022-2023.
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. (2021). National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-21: India report.