Importance: Literacy and education are cornerstones of human development. They empower individuals, reduce inequality, and foster economic growth.
Economic Role: Literate individuals contribute more productively to workforce efficiency, technological adoption, and entrepreneurship.
Social Impact: Education fosters gender equality, social awareness, and civic participation.
Post-Independence Literacy Growth
In 1951, India’s literacy rate was only 18.3%.
As per Census 2011, literacy rose to 74.04%, showing substantial progress through programs like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Right to Education Act, and mid-day meal schemes.
Literacy in India
Gender Disparity: Female literacy (65.46%) lags behind male literacy (82.14%) as per Census 2011. Causes include socio-cultural restrictions, early marriage, and school dropout.
Trends (2001–2011): Overall literacy increased by ~9%, with significant improvement in rural female literacy.
Social Group Variations: SC and ST communities have lower literacy rates due to historical disadvantages and limited access to schooling.
Regional Variations:
High Literacy: Kerala, Mizoram, Goa.
Low Literacy: Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh.
Impact on Social Mobility: Literacy enables upward mobility through better employment, awareness of rights, and participation in governance.
Rural-Urban Differences
Population Divide:
Rural: ~68.8% of total population.
Urban: ~31.2% (Census 2011).
Urbanization Trends: The 20th century witnessed rapid urban growth driven by industrialization and service sector expansion.
Economic & Social Shifts:
Urban areas offer better jobs, health, and education.
Rural areas face youth out-migration and ageing populations.
Changing Role of Agriculture
Decline in GDP Share: Agriculture’s contribution to GDP has fallen below 18%, despite employing over 50% of the workforce.
Rise of Non-Farm Occupations:
Rural populations increasingly engage in services, small-scale industries, and construction.
Rural-Urban Economic Link:
Improved connectivity and digitalization have created supply chains, e-commerce hubs, and rural service markets.
Rural-to-Urban Migration
Causes of Migration:
Economic: Search for jobs, higher wages, regular income.
Social: Access to better education, healthcare, and urban lifestyle.
Environmental: Degradation of common property resources, droughts, and poor irrigation drive people out.
Impacts:
Rural: Labor shortage, feminization of agriculture, remittance economy.
Urban: Overcrowding, slum development, increased demand for services.
Urbanization and Its Consequences
Rise of Metro and Million-Plus Cities:
India has 53 million-plus cities; metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru have seen massive population growth.
Challenges:
Infrastructure stress: Water shortage, traffic congestion, inadequate waste disposal.
Housing issues: Slums, unaffordable rentals, rise in informal settlements.
Environmental concerns: Urban heat islands, air pollution, loss of green cover.
