Previous Year Question
Among the following Union Territories the female literacy is highest according to Census 2011:
Puducherry
Chandigarh
Daman and Diu
Lakshadweep
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
According to Census 2011, Lakshadweep had the highest female literacy rate among the four Union Territories given in the question.
Their female literacy rates were approximately—
Lakshadweep — 88.2%
Chandigarh — 81.4%
Puducherry — 81.2%
Daman and Diu — 79.6%.
Thus, Lakshadweep was ahead of second-placed Chandigarh by about 6.8 percentage points.
The female literacy rate refers to the proportion of females aged 7 years and above who can read and write with understanding in any language. Formal schooling is not an essential condition for being treated as literate.
In 2011, India's national effective female literacy rate was about 65.5%. Lakshadweep's female literacy rate of 88.2% was therefore about 22.7 percentage points above the national level.
Current Status
Daman and Diu is no longer a separate Union Territory. With effect from 26 January 2020, it was merged with Dadra and Nagar Haveli to form a single Union Territory.
No newer complete nationwide Census dataset on female literacy is yet available. Therefore, Census 2011 remains the latest complete Census basis for such comparison.