The changes in female literacy in India from 1971 to 1991 in the 14 major states from census data are discussed. India's goal is to have all girls registered in elementary school by 2000, according to the National Perspective Plan for Women. The census of 1991 measured literacy in the population aged 7 and above for the first time. Literacy overall improved from 36% in 1971 to 52% in 1991. Male literacy grew from 48.5% to 63.9% over the period; female literacy improved from 22.9% to 39.4%. In the decade ending in 1981, there was a more rapid increase in female literacy than male literacy in 5 states, but in the decade ending in 1991, female literacy increased more than male literacy in every state but Rajasthan. Female literacy rose the least in the 4 states Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, only 8%, compared to 9.7% for India as a whole, or 11% for the remaining states combined. It is estimated that universal literacy will be achieved in India on average in 56 years, 48 years for males and 63 years for females, but it will take 92 years to achieve universal literacy in the 4 northern states.