RAS question
According to Census 2011, which state has the lowest literacy rate?
Correct answer: (B) Bihar.
According to Census 2011 literacy data placed before the Rajya Sabha, Bihar had the lowest literacy rate among Indian states.
Explanation
Bihar is the correct answer because the Rajya Sabha record for 12 August 2013 reproduces Census 2011 state-wise literacy rates for the population aged seven years and above, and Bihar is listed below the other options. The table records Bihar's person literacy rate as 61.80, with male literacy at 71.20 and female literacy at 51.50, showing a clear gender gap. The competing options are close enough to tempt a guess: Arunachal Pradesh is at 65.38, Rajasthan at 66.11, and Jharkhand at 66.41. Since all three are higher than Bihar in the same official table, Bihar remains the lowest-literacy state for this Census 2011 comparison.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Rajasthan is wrong because the same Census 2011 table lists its person literacy rate as 66.11, which is higher than Bihar's 61.80.
- (C) Arunachal Pradesh is wrong because its person literacy rate is 65.38 in the official table, still above Bihar.
- (D) Jharkhand is wrong because its person literacy rate is 66.41, placing it above Bihar rather than at the bottom.
Concept
This tests Census 2011 literacy indicators, especially state-wise comparisons and gender gaps. RAS repeats such questions because literacy is a core human-development marker used in Indian geography and social-development analysis.