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UPSC Prelims 2002 · Indian Geography · People and Settlements
Consider the following countries of South-Asia: 1. Bangladesh 2. India 3. Pakistan 4. Sri Lanka The descending order of literacy status of these countries
- (a) 4, 2, 1, 3
- (b) 2, 4, 3, 1
- (c) 4, 2, 3, 1
- (d) 2, 4, 1, 3
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (c) 4, 2, 3, 1
Sri Lanka > India > Pakistan > Bangladesh in 2002.
The idea
A cross-country literacy ranking needs the same age definition and comparable reference dates. Adult literacy, youth literacy and India’s census literacy for ages seven and above are not interchangeable. Use an exam-period series for this 2002 question; later progress can change the order.
Why the others are wrong
(a) Puts Bangladesh above Pakistan — true today, not in 2002.
(b) Sri Lanka has always led South Asia.
(d) Sri Lanka has always led South Asia.
The trap
Bangladesh overtook Pakistan only after the 2000s.
Also know
Adult literacy commonly refers to ages 15 and above, while youth literacy commonly uses ages 15–24. Literacy rate differs from school enrolment and years of schooling. A comparison should identify the year of the underlying figures, which may be earlier than the publication year.
🔒 Sri Lanka: most literate in South Asia. Bangladesh has since overtaken Pakistan.
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