Among the following Indian states, which has the highest literacy rate according to Census 2011 data?

Introduction / Context:
Literacy rate is a key social indicator reflecting the educational development of a region. The Census of India 2011 provides official literacy statistics for all states and union territories. Competitive exams frequently ask which state has the highest literacy rate nationally or among a limited shortlist. In this question, you are given four states and must identify which one has the highest literacy rate according to Census 2011.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The relevant figures are from Census 2011, not earlier or later estimates.
• The states listed are Odisha, Punjab, Maharashtra, and Mizoram.
• Mizoram is known to have a very high literacy rate, above ninety percent.
• We assume standard census data where Kerala leads nationally, but Kerala is not listed here.

Concept / Approach:
The concept here is comparative literacy levels among Indian states. Kerala holds the top position nationwide, but among the four states given in the options, Mizoram has the highest literacy rate, which is above ninety percent according to Census 2011. Maharashtra, Punjab, and Odisha have respectable literacy rates but are lower than that of Mizoram. The approach is therefore to recall or approximate the literacy rates for these states and identify which one clearly stands out as the highest.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Kerala has the highest literacy rate overall, but Kerala does not appear in this question. Step 2: Remember that Mizoram, a north eastern state, has a literacy rate above ninety percent and is usually second or among the top few states after Kerala and sometimes Lakshadweep. Step 3: Note that Maharashtra and Punjab have literacy rates in the seventies or eighties, while Odisha has a lower literacy rate compared to Mizoram. Step 4: Compare these approximate values and see that Mizoram surpasses the other three states clearly. Step 5: Choose Mizoram as the correct answer because it has the highest literacy rate among the given options according to Census 2011.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done by recalling specific figures from Census 2011 tables. Mizoram has a literacy rate of over ninety percent, while Odisha has a literacy rate in the low seventies, Punjab in the mid to high seventies, and Maharashtra slightly above the national average, but still below Mizoram. Multiple exam guidebooks list Mizoram as one of the top states for literacy, second only to Kerala in many rankings. Because none of the other options approach the high literacy percentage of Mizoram, this confirms that Mizoram is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Odisha: Odisha has improved its literacy rate significantly but remains below the ninety percent level. It is not among the very top states for literacy, so it cannot be the highest among the four.

Punjab: Punjab has a literacy rate higher than the national average, but still lower than Mizoram. It does not figure among the top two or three states for literacy at the national level.

Maharashtra: Maharashtra is a developed and industrialized state with good educational facilities, yet its literacy rate is less than that of Mizoram and does not rank at the absolute top among Indian states.

Common Pitfalls:
Many aspirants associate high literacy automatically with more industrialized states like Maharashtra or Punjab, ignoring the role of smaller north eastern states where education levels are comparatively high. Another pitfall is confusing literacy rankings from older censuses or unofficial estimates with the official 2011 census data. Some also mistakenly assume that only Kerala, Tamil Nadu, or Delhi can have very high literacy, overlooking Mizoram and other north eastern states. Regular practice with updated census tables and making a short list of top literacy states can help avoid these mistakes.

Final Answer:
According to Census 2011, the state with the highest literacy rate among the given options is Mizoram, so Mizoram is the correct answer.