Lok Sabha Question No. 656 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-20
Subject: Literacy Rate Among Minorities
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: SIRAJUDDIN AJMAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 656 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2016

## LITERACY RATE AMONG MINORITIES

## 656. SHRI  SIRAJUDDIN  AJMAL:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  present  literacy  rate  among  the  minorities  along  with  the  breakup  of male and female literacy rates and its comparison with the overall literacy rate in the country, State/UT-wise and community-wise;
- (b) the schemes being implemented and the other measures taken to bridge the gap in literacy level between the general female population and minority girls in the country; and
- (c) the  funds  sanctioned,  released  and  utilised  under  such  schemes  during each  of  the  last  three  years  and  the  current  year,  State/UT-wise  and community-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

(a):  As  per  Census  2011,  the  literacy  rate  among  the  minorities  along  with  the break-up of male and female literacy rates and their comparison with the overall literacy rate in the country are detailed below:

| Name of Religion                | Literacy rate   | Literacy rate   | Literacy rate   |
|---------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
|                                 | Person          | Male            | Female          |
| Total                           | 73.0            | 80.9            | 64.6            |
| Hindu                           | 73.3            | 81.7            | 64.3            |
| Muslim                          | 68.5            | 74.7            | 62.0            |
| Christian                       | 84.5            | 87.7            | 81.5            |
| Sikh                            | 75.4            | 80.0            | 70.3            |
| Buddhist                        | 81.3            | 88.3            | 74.0            |
| Jain                            | 94.9            | 96.8            | 92.9            |
| Other religions and persuasions | 59.9            | 70.9            | 49.1            |
| Religion not stated             | 74.7            | 81.9            | 67.3            |

State/UT-wise and community-wise details of 'literacy rates' are available on the website of the Office of Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.

(b) & (c): The details of schemes being implemented for enhancing opportunities for  education  of  minorities,  in  general,  and  to  bridge  the  gap  in  literacy  level between the  general  female  population  and  minority  girls  in  the  country  are  as under:

- i. Pre-Matric Scholarship
- ii. Post-Matric Scholarship
- iii. Merit-cum-Means  Scholarship
- iv. Maulana Azad National Fellowship
- v. Integrated Child Development  Services (ICDS) scheme  for providing services through Anganwadi Centres
- vi. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and opening of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas
- vii. 'Padho  Pardesh'-  Interest  subsidy  on  educational  loans  for overseas studies
- viii. 'Nai Udaan'- Support for students clearing Prelims conducted by UPSC, SSC, State Public Service Commissions, etc.
- ix. Scheme for Providing Quality Education in Madarsas (SPQEM)
- x. Scheme  for  Infrastructure  Development  of  Minority  Institutions (IDMI)
- xi. Greater Resources for Teaching Urdu
- xii. Free Coaching and Allied Scheme
- xiii. Schemes  of  Maulana  Azad  Education  Foundation  (MAEF)  for promotion of education.
- xiv. Mid Day Meal Scheme
- xv. Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA)
- xvi. Sakshar Bharat/ Maulana Azad Taleem-e-Balighan
- xvii. Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS)
- xviii. Block Institutes of Teachers Education
- xix. Women's Hostel.

The  details  of  funds  sanctioned/  released/  utilised  under  such  schemes  (in  the manner collated in the Ministry) during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise and community-wise are available on the website of Ministry of Minority Affairs- www.minorityaffairs.gov.in.

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