According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey of India (2019-20), what is the literacy rate among the Scheduled Tribes Population of India?

The correct answer is 70.10%.

Key Points

• According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey of India (2019-20), the literacy rate among the Scheduled Tribes Population of India is 70.10%.

Important Points

• Periodic Labour Force Survey of India (2019-20)
  • Improvements in living conditions of the Scheduled Tribes (STs).
  • The literacy rate for STs has improved from 47.1% in 2001 to 59% in 2011.
  • Further, the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) report (July 2019 - June 2020) reveals that the literacy rate for STs increased to 70.1%.
  • According to the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) Plus reports published by the Ministry of Education
    • Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for ST students at Senior Secondary (classes IX-X) level has increased from 62.4% in 2012-13 to 76.7% in 2019-20.
  • As per National Family Health Surveys (NFHS) conducted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,
    • For Scheduled Tribes, Infant Mortality Rate has declined from 62.1 (2005-06) to 44.4 (2015-16).
    • Under Five Mortality Rate has declined from 95.7 (2005-06) to 57.2 (2015-16).
    • Institutional Delivery has increased from 17.7% in 2005-06 to 68.0 % in 2015-16.
    • The percentage of Underweight (weight-for-age) ST children under the age of five years have declined from 54.5 in 2005-06 to 45.3 in 2015-16.
  • Erstwhile Planning Commission estimated:
    • The percentage of ST people living below the poverty line in rural areas has declined from 62.3% in 2004-05 to 45.3% in 2011-12.
    • Also, the percentage of ST people living below the poverty line in urban areas has declined from 35.5% in 2004-05 to 24.1% in 2011-12.​

Additional Information

• Considering the importance of the availability of labour force data at more frequent time intervals, 
  • the NSO launched the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) in April 2017.
• The objective of PLFS is :
  • To estimate the key employment and unemployment indicators (viz. Worker Population Ratio, Labour Force Participation Rate, Unemployment Rate) in the short time interval of three months for the urban areas only in the CWS.
  • To estimate employment and unemployment indicators in both usual Status and CWS in both rural and urban areas annually.