Which district in Kerala had the highest literacy rate according to the Census of India (2011)?
APathanamthitta
BErnakulam
CKottayam
DWayanad
Answer:
C. Kottayam
Read Explanation:
Kerala's Leadership in Literacy (Census 2011)
- Kerala consistently holds the distinction of having the highest literacy rate among all Indian states.
- According to the Census of India 2011, Kerala's overall literacy rate stood at an impressive 94.00%.
- This high literacy rate is attributed to historical factors such as early missionary activities, strong social reform movements, and consistent government focus on public education since pre-independence times.
- The "Kerala Model of Development" is often cited for its achievements in social indicators like literacy, healthcare, and life expectancy, even with a relatively lower per capita income compared to some other developed regions.
Kottayam's Prominence in 2011
- As per the 2011 Census, Kottayam district recorded the highest literacy rate in Kerala.
- Kottayam's literacy rate was specifically 97.21%, making it the most literate district in the state at that time.
- This high literacy in Kottayam is often linked to its early establishment of educational institutions, including renowned colleges and schools, and a strong emphasis on education by its populace.
- The district also has a historical association with printing and publishing, further contributing to its literate culture.
Key Literacy Facts from Census 2011
- The national average literacy rate for India in 2011 was 74.04%.
- For Kerala, the male literacy rate was 96.11% and the female literacy rate was 92.07%, indicating a relatively narrow gender gap in literacy compared to the national average.
- After Kottayam, Pathanamthitta district had one of the next highest literacy rates in Kerala (around 96.55%).
- The district with the lowest literacy rate in Kerala, according to the 2011 Census, was Wayanad, with a literacy rate of 89.03%.
- Literacy rate is typically defined as the percentage of the population aged 7 years and above who can both read and write with understanding in any language.