In the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, 121 candidates have declared themselves illiterate, while 359 have studied up to the 5th grade, according to data analyzed by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). The ADR report further reveals that 647 candidates have reported their education level as up to the 8th grade.

Among the candidates, 1,303 have completed up to 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 the 8,360 candidates contesting in the Lok Sabha elections.

Here is a phase-wise breakdown of the educational qualifications of the candidates:

• Phase 1: Out of 1,618 candidates, 639 reported their education as between the 5th and 12th grades, 836 were graduates or higher, 36 were just literate, 26 were illiterate, and four did not disclose their qualifications.
• Phase 2: Of the 1,192 candidates, 533 had education levels between the 5th and 12th grades, 574 were graduates or higher, 37 were just literate, eight were illiterate, and three did not disclose their qualifications.
• Phase 3: Among the 1,352 candidates, 639 reported education levels between the 5th and 12th grades, 591 were graduates or higher, 56 were just literate, 19 were illiterate, and three did not disclose their qualifications.
• Phase 4: Of the 1,710 candidates, 644 had education levels between the 5th and 12th grades, 944 were graduates or higher, 30 were just literate, and 26 were illiterate.
• Phase 5: Out of 695 candidates, 293 reported education levels between the 5th and 12th grades, 349 were graduates or higher, 20 were just literate, and five were illiterate. Two candidates did not disclose their qualifications.

This detailed analysis by ADR highlights the varied educational backgrounds of the candidates participating in the Lok Sabha elections.