Literacy is one of the most vital indicators of social and economic development, as it reflects both the educational progress and human resource potential of a region. This paper examines the trends and patterns of literacy in Bhagalpur district, Bihar, with a focus on decadal changes, gender disparities, and rural–urban differences. Using secondary data from Census reports, the study highlights the overall improvement in literacy rates, while also drawing attention to the persistent gaps between male and female literacy as well as between rural and urban areas. The analysis reveals that although literacy levels in Bhagalpur have shown a steady upward trend over the decades, the pace of growth remains uneven, particularly among women and marginalised sections of society. The findings emphasise the need for targeted educational policies, infrastructural support, and awareness programmes to bridge the gaps and ensure inclusive educational development in the district.
Kumar et al. (Sat,) studied this question.