On the basis of the average literacy rate in India (74.04%), Indian states have been classified into two groups:

1. States with higher literacy rate than the national average: In this category, Kerala holds the first place with a literacy rate of 93.91%. Lakshadweep holds the second place (92.2%) and Mizoram holds the third place (91.58%). In the male literacy rate, Lakshadweep holds the first place (96.11%) and Kerala holds the second place (96.10%). The highest female literacy rate has been recorded in Kerala (92%). 

2. States with lower literacy rate than the national average: The literacy rate in Bihar is 63.82% which is the lowest in the states. The other states with lower literacy than the national average include Jammu-Kashmir (68.74%), Rajasthan (67.06%), Madhya Pradesh (70.63%), Uttar Pradesh (69.72%), Jharkhand (67.63%), Odisha (73.45%), Arunachal Pradesh (67%) and Assam (73.18%). The lowest male literacy rate has also been recorded in Bihar (73.5%) and in Arunachal Pradesh (73.69%). While, the lowest female literacy rate has been recorded in Rajasthan (52.70%) and in Bihar (53.30%).