Mizoram most educated with 98.02% literacy: CM

Aizawl: Mizoram has achieved the distinction of being the most literate state in India, with a literacy rate of 98.02%, chief minister Lalduhoma claimed in the state legislative assembly on the final day of the budget session late Thursday night.
While concluding discussions on his budgetary demands, Lalduhoma said the literacy rate among women stands at 97%, while for men, it is 99%, resulting in an overall literacy rate of 98.02%.
"This has become possible after the state school education minister Vanlalthlana employed 292 educators on contract basis who took up their task in earnest teaching the illiterates to be able to read and write. Though it is yet to be announced, it is expected to be officially announced soon," he said.
Nagaland ranks as the second most literate state, followed by Kerala. The CM congratulated the efforts of Vanlalthlana and teams of officials of the school education department. Adult education in rural areas is mainly managed by the adult education wing of the school education department under the state council of educational research and training, with the help of voluntary educators.
A retired senior official of the state education department said Mamit district, bordering Bangladesh and Tripura, and Lawngtlai district, bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh, were previously literacy-challenged areas. These districts had contributed to Mizoram losing its top literacy rank to Kerala in the past. The official attributed the literacy challenges in these districts to the presence of minority communities, particularly Chakmas and Brus.
In 2024, Mizoram's literacy rate was 91.58%, compared to Kerala's 96.2%.