As per Census 2001, the literacy rate among Muslims aged 7 years and above was 59.1% while all-India literacy rate for the same age-group was 64.8%. As per Census 2011, the literacy rate among Muslims aged 7 years and above was 68.5% as compared to all-India literacy rate of 73.0%. Thus, the literacy rate among Muslims has increased by 9.4 percentage points in Census 2011 as compared to Census 2001. As per Annual Report, Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), 2023-24, the literacy rate among Muslims was 79.5% for persons aged 7years & above, while literacy rate for all religions for the same age group was 80.9%.

Ministry of Minority Affairs is mandated for formulation of policies, schemes and programmes for welfare and socio-economic development of six notified minority communities namely, Buddhists, Christians, Jains, Muslims, Parsis and Sikhs. The Ministry has adopted a multi-pronged strategy for development of minority communities with special focus on educational empowerment, infrastructure development, economic empowerment, fulfilling special needs, and strengthening of minority institutions.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Minority & Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today

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SS/ISA