What is literacy? HRD Ministry believes the definition needs to be redefined

The definition of 'literacy' is likely to change soon. People from different fields will be considered 'literate' based on skills from their area of expertise, suggests education roadmap 2035 by TIFAC (Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council), a Department of Science and Technology undertaking. The idea has been well received by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD).

The suggestions have been given to the committee working on New Education Policy and the feedback, according to officials at TIFAC, has been positive.

The Technology Roadmap for Education, which is a vision document for education by the year 2035, has been worked on by TIFAC with the help of a number of education experts, professors and scientists, spearheaded by Dr Anil Kakodkar, Chairman TIFAC, Atomic Energy Commission of India.

"In an ideal society, there should not be a gap between a literate person and an educated person. To achieve this, the desirable markers for literacy have to be examined in further detail," the TIFAC document says.

"The markers of literacy should not only indicate whether an individual is proficient in reading, writing and arithmetic, but also so much more: whether an individual is well placed to realise their potential, whether they can access the opportunities provided by the state and non-state players, whether they are able to earn a livelihood, whether they are able to utilise the advantages and more," it adds.