Lok Sabha Polls: 121 Candidates Illiterate, 647 Only Class 8 Pass, ADR Data Reveals

According to an analysis by the poll rights body Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), 121 candidates contesting in the Lok Sabha elections have declared themselves illiterate, while 359 have reported studying up to the 5th grade. The data also reveals that 647 candidates have education levels up to the 8th grade. About 1,303 candidates have declared passing the 12th grade, and 1,502 hold a graduate degree. Additionally, 198 candidates have a doctorate.

ADR’s analysis covers the educational qualifications of 8,337 out of 8,360 candidates contesting in the Lok Sabha elections.

Breakdown by Election Phases

First Phase

5th to 12th Grade: 639 candidates
Graduate or Higher: 836 candidates
Just Literate: 36 candidates
Illiterate: 26 candidates
Did Not Disclose: 4 candidates

Second Phase

5th to 12th Grade: 533 candidates
Graduate or Higher: 574 candidates
Just Literate: 37 candidates
Illiterate: 8 candidates
Did Not Disclose: 3 candidates

Third Phase

5th to 12th Grade: 639 candidates
Graduate or Higher: 591 candidates
Just Literate: 56 candidates
Illiterate:19 candidates
Did Not Disclose: 3 candidates

Fourth Phase

5th to 12th Grade: 644 candidates
Graduate or Higher: 944 candidates
Just Literate: 30 candidates
Illiterate: 26 candidates

Fifth Phase

5th to 12th Grade: 293 candidates
Graduate or Higher: 349 candidates
Just Literate: 20 candidates
Illiterate: 5 candidates
Did Not Disclose: 2 candidates

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Sixth Phase

5th to 12th Grade: 332 candidates
Graduate or Higher: 487 candidates
Diploma Holders: 22 candidates
Just Literate: 12 candidates
Illiterate: 13 candidates

Seventh Phase

5th to 12th Grade: 402 candidates
Graduate or Higher: 430 candidates
Diploma Holders: 20 candidates
Just Literate: 26 candidates
Illiterate: 24 candidates
Did Not Disclose: 2 candidates