According to Census data, the increase in the literacy rate in India during the period 1991–2001 was approximately how many percentage points?

Introduction / Context:
Literacy rate is a key human development indicator that shows the percentage of people who can read and write with understanding. The change in literacy over a decade reflects the success of education policies and programmes. Many exam questions focus on the increase in literacy rates between specific census years. This question asks about the increase in the literacy rate of India during the period 1991 to 2001.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The period under consideration is from the 1991 Census to the 2001 Census.
• We are looking for the increase, that is, the difference between the literacy rate in 2001 and 1991.
• The options given are 10.8 percent, 12.6 percent, 14.3 percent, and 15.5 percent.
• We assume standard census figures for total literacy rate.

Concept / Approach:
According to Census 1991, the overall literacy rate in India was a little above 52 percent. By Census 2001, the literacy rate had risen to around 64 percent. The increase is therefore slightly more than 12 percentage points. In exam summaries this increase is usually given as 12.6 percentage points. Among the options provided, 12.6 percent is the one that matches the known increase in literacy during 1991 to 2001.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall approximate literacy rates: around 52 percent in 1991 and around 64 percent in 2001.Step 2: Compute the increase: 64 minus 52 equals about 12 percentage points.Step 3: The more precise official figures give an increase close to 12.6 percentage points.Step 4: Compare this with the options: 10.8, 12.6, 14.3, and 15.5.Step 5: The option 12.6 percent matches the documented increase, while the others are either too low or too high.Step 6: Therefore, 12.6 percent is the correct answer for the increase in literacy rate during 1991 to 2001.

Verification / Alternative check:
Exam oriented materials on Indian demography often include a table showing literacy rates and their change between censuses. For the 1991 to 2001 period, these tables typically show an increase of about 12.6 percentage points. This figure is used repeatedly in previous year questions, confirming that it is the standard value expected in competitive exams.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
10.8 percent: This understates the progress made in literacy and does not match the official difference between 1991 and 2001.

14.3 percent: This overstates the actual increase in literacy rate over the decade.

15.5 percent: Also overestimates the improvement and does not align with the census data.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes mistake the literacy rate itself for the increase and may recall only one of the two census values. Others may confuse national level values with state level figures or male female differences. To avoid such confusion, it is helpful to remember that the increase in total literacy for India during 1991 to 2001 is about 12 to 13 percentage points, with 12.6 percent being the precise figure often quoted.

Final Answer:
The literacy rate in India increased by about 12.6 percentage points between 1991 and 2001.