AP Literacy Rate Rises from 72.6% to 82.1% in Two Years, Says Minister Lokesh

Andhra Pradesh has recorded a sharp rise in its literacy rate, with the figure increasing from 72.6% in 2024 to 82.1% in 2026, Education Minister Nara Lokesh said on Wednesday. Crediting the progress to the government’s Aksharandhra programme, Lokesh described the improvement as a historic achievement and congratulated officials, teachers and others involved in the statewide literacy drive.

Lokesh said Andhra Pradesh was among the states with the lowest literacy levels when he assumed charge of the Education Department. While the state’s literacy rate stood at 72.6% in 2024, Bihar recorded 74.3%, he said. Andhra Pradesh has now crossed the national average of 81% within just two years, marking a significant turnaround.

The NDA government launched the Aksharandhra programme in 2025, and the initiative has so far helped make nearly 25 lakh people literate, according to the government. Results of recent adult education examinations released by the Centre also reflected an increase of nearly 10 percentage points in the state’s literacy rate.

Lokesh has now set an ambitious target of achieving 100% literacy in Andhra Pradesh by September 2027. Under a phased action plan, the government aims to make another 25 lakh people literate by March next year, followed by the remaining 27 lakh people by September 2027.

The programme is being implemented through the coordinated efforts of 11 government departments. The minister asked officials to involve MLAs and local elected representatives more actively and expand awareness and mobilisation efforts.

During a separate review of the School Education Department, Lokesh directed officials to identify every school-age child who remains outside the formal education system and ensure their enrolment. Officials said more than 1.64 lakh school-age children are currently outside the formal education system, of whom around 33,000 have been enrolled in schools this year.

Teacher attendance currently stands at 98.97%, while student attendance is 85.4%. Lokesh directed officials to take further steps to improve student attendance.

Meanwhile, during his visit to Palnadu district, Lokesh inaugurated three newly constructed hostels at the JNTUK University Engineering College in Kakani village of Narasaraopet mandal. Named Gautami, Krishnaveni and Nagarjuna, the hostel buildings were built at a cost of around ₹70 crore and can accommodate 1,600 students.

The new facilities are equipped with modern amenities and are aimed at improving residential infrastructure alongside educational opportunities for students. District Collector Kritika Shukla, Joint Collector V. Sanjana Simha, JNTUK Vice-Chancellor CSRK Prasad, Rajya Sabha MP Bhashyam Ramakrishna, Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar and Narasaraopet MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, among others, attended the programme.