Knowledge and information have significant impact on people's lives. The sharing of knowledge and information, particularly through Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has the power to transform economies and societies. The Organization's thrust to create knowledge societies is premised on the conviction that universal access to information is the key to building peace, sustainable economic development, andintercultural dialogue.

In order to succeed in this constantly changing environment, and to resolve problems effectively in every face of life, individuals, communities and nations should obtain a critical set of competencies to be able to seek information, critically evaluate it and create new information and knowledge. Information Literacy creates new opportunities to improve the quality of our lives

The functions under education development are primarily to provide over-all policy and guidance in formulation of plans and programmes for preserving and promoting education.

• Help in formulating the policy on education and to ensure that it is implemented in letter. Planned development including easily accessible education for everyone and improving the quality of the educational institutions.
• Paying special attention to disadvantage groups by providing financial help in the form of scholarships, education loan.
• Encouraging international cooperation in the field of education, working closely with the UNESCO as well as universities to enhance the educational opportunities.
• University education, rural higher education, foreign aid programme relating to higher education. Audio visual education. Educational research promotion, regional languages teaching and promotion.

Higher Education –

• University education, Rural higher education, foreign aid programme relating to higher education, technical higher education.
• Audio visual education.
• Production of university level textbooks in regional languages.
• Assistance for the teaching and promotion of regional languages.
• Matters relating to all scholarships, offered by various countries and agencies.
• Matters relating to all scholarships, offered by various countries and agencies.
• Grants to Non-Governmental institutions, professional bodies and technical institutions for technical education.
• To provide practical training facilities for students of engineering and technological institutions.
• Hold examinations in the fields of professional and technical education.

The following issues related to Elementary Education, Basic Education, Social Education and Adult Education are also covered in this section -

• To build and operate children's museum.
• Books
• Educational Research
• Publications, Information and Statistics
• Teachers Training
• Secondary education and Vocational Guidance.

Art and Culture -

The Education Department will work in collaboration with central/state governments, national and international organisations in maintenance and conservation of heritage, historic sites, ancient monuments, administration of libraries.

• The Education Department will work in collaboration with central/state governments, national and international organisations in maintenance and conservation of heritage, historic sites, ancient monuments, administration of libraries.
• Observation of centenaries and anniversaries of important personalities and events.
• Promotion of institutional and individual non-official initiatives in the field of art and culture
• Promotion of cultural agreements between countries.
• Creating cultural awareness from root level to international cultural exchange level.
• To help conserve distinct languages, Script, Culture and Heritage.
• To help Protect and preserve ancient and historical monuments, sculpture carvings, archaeological sites and to carry out archaeological excavations as permissible by law.
• To publish and deliver books to national library and public libraries.
• The mission of the department is to preserve, promote and disseminate all forms of art and culture and public records of enduring value.

Youth affairs and Sports –

• To provide opportunities for development and empowerment of youth. To develop the personality of youth and to encourage youth in nation building activities.
• Financial assistance to voluntary youth organisations, rural youth and sports clubs and to set up and operate institutes of youth development.
• Participate in international youth programs, commonwealth youth programme and United Nations volunteers.
• Participate in international youth programs, commonwealth youth programme and United Nations volunteers.
• To work with Olympic associations and sports federations, instituting sports award, sports scholarships.
• To work in association with all wings of government of India in promoting various schemes by ministries/autonomous bodies/apex offices/independent departments/bodies incorporated by the government of India and state governments.

Facts and Figures –

Census 2011 revealed that Literacy in India has made remarkable strides. Literacy rate of India stands at 72.98%. Overall Literacy rate has grown by 8.14 percent points in the last decade (64.84% in 2001 & 72.98% in 2011). The male literacy rate has grown by 5.62 percent points(75.26% in 2001 & 80.88% in 2011) whereas female literacy rate 10.96 percent points (53.67% in 2001 & 64.63% in 2011). Number of illiterates(7+ age group) decreased from 304.10 million in 2001 to 282.70 million in 2011.

States reported with literacy rate greater than 90%: Kerala (94%), Lakshadweep (91.85%) and Mizoram (91.33%).

States with literacy rate between national average (72.98%) and below 90% : Tripura (87.22%), Goa (88.70%), Daman & Diu (87.10%), Pondicherry (85.85%), Chandigarh (86.05%), Delhi (86.21%), A&N Islands (86.63%), Himachal Pradesh (82.80%), Maharashtra (82.34%), Sikkim (81.42%), Tamil Nadu (80.09%), Nagaland (79.55%), Manipur (76.94%), Uttarakhand (78.82%), Gujarat (78.03%), Dadra & Nagar Haveli (76.24%), West Bengal (76.26%), Punjab (75.84%), Haryana (75.55%), Karnataka (75.36%) and Meghalaya (74.43%).

Literacy rate in rural areas stands at 67.77% with rural male literacy rate 77.15% and rural female literacy rate 57.93%. Whereas literacy rate in urban areas stands at 84.11% with urban male literacy rate at 88.76% and urban female literacy at 79.11%.

Literacy rate of SCs stands at 66.07% (Male SCs 75.17% & Female SCs 56.46%).Whereas Literacy rate of STs Stands at 58.95% (Male STs 68.51% & Female STs 49.36%).

Gender disparity in literacy rates declined by 5.34 percent points from 21.59 percent points in 2001 to 16.25 percent points in 2001-2011.There has been a continuous decrease in gender gap in literacy since 1991 (24.84 percent points).