Authors : Sangita Das

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 1 - January

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/2b6upkw4

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/cnkdmswx

DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14621409

Abstract : The article examines urban-rural literacy disparities across fifteen Indian states between 1981 and 2011, focusing on key factors that contribute to reducing educational inequality. Using Sopher’s index, it analyzes spatial and temporal shifts in literacy disparities over time. Despite an overall decline, the index shows that states like Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Karnataka still faced significant disparities in 2011. The study applies the Least Square Dummy Variable (LSDV) technique to identify determinants influencing these disparities. It finds that lower rural fertility rates, a higher percentage of women marrying after age 21, increased female educational attainment (as mothers' education), and higher male labour force participation (as fathers' income) play significant roles in narrowing the urban-rural literacy gap.

Keywords : Least Square Dummy Variable (LSDV) Model, Spatio-Temporal Analysis, Sopher’s Index, Urban-Rural Literacy.

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