Andhra Pradesh’s literacy rate has surged from 72.60% in 2024 to 82.10% in 2026 against the national average of 80.9%.

Two years ago, when Nara Lokesh took the reins as Minister for Human Resources Development, Bihar had a literacy rate of 74.30% against Andhra Pradesh’s 72.60%.

What had since been achieved was a major turnaround in the State’s literacy landscape as the ‘Akshara Andhra’ programme launched by the NDA Government last year played a key role in it, said an official release.

It was stated that around 25 lakh people became literate through the above programme. Efforts were being made to build on this momentum to achieve 100% literacy by the end of September 2027. Plans were made to make another 25 lakh people literate by March 2027.

Mr. Lokesh directed the officials to involve MLAs and local public representatives in the implementation of ‘Akshara Andhra’ programme and intensify awareness and mobilisation efforts to reach every illiterate person.

The press release further said that 1,64,821 school-age children were currently outside the formal education system. Of them, around 33,000 children were enrolled in schools this year. Details of the remaining children were shared with headmasters through the LEAP app.

Teacher attendance currently stands at 98.97%, while student attendance is 85.41%. Mr. Lokesh emphasised the importance of mental development of students, and stress-free learning, and directed the officials to establish autism centres at 125 locations across the State.