On the literacy front, the State has achieved noticeable success in realizing illiteracy reduction to the order of 13.98%  points during 1991-2001 as against All India figure of 12.60% points. Census data shows that the literacy gap of population in Orissa and All-India level widened between 1951 to 1981, but thereafter there has been a reducing trend. The literacy rate in Orissa in 1951 was 15.8% against All India average of 18.3, but this gap widened in 1981 Census, the respective literacy rates being 33.62% in Orissa and 43.56% at the All-India level. As per the latest 2001 Census the literacy rate for the State was 63.08% as against 64.8% at the All-India level. By and large this is the positive impact of the Total Literacy Campaign launched in the State since 1990-91.But there is wide gap between the level of literacy between males and females in the State. There exists serious gap between male and female literacy, between general category and backward population including ST/SCs. Male literacy in Orissa in 2001 Census is 75.96% where as only 50.51% of females were literate. As against State literacy rate of 63.08%, districts like Koraput had only 35.72% literate, Malkangiri 30.53%, Nawarangpur 33.93%.
      

Although educational infrastructure is found to be better for the State as compared to All India level, it is the quality of such infrastructure which requires planned action. Similarly although enrolment rates at primary levels (94.91%) is slightly better than at All-India level (92.14%), worsening drop-out rate is a matter of concern. Enrolment of girl children at the Primary   level (I-V) in Orissa is 79.82% as against All-India level is 82.85%. At Upper Primary level too Enrolment Rate in the State (51.31%) lags behind All-India level 57.58%.