Kerala leads India’s state IQ rankings as education-focused states dominate top positions

Kerala has been ranked the highest among all Indian states in terms of average Intelligence Quotient (IQ), according to a new nationwide study examining regional cognitive performance. This is reported by News9, a partner of TV BRICS.

With an estimated average IQ between 110 and 112, the southern state has once again demonstrated the impact of sustained investment in education, literacy, and a culture that deeply values knowledge and intellectual growth.

The ranking, based on data collated from educational benchmarks and regional development indices, reveals that Delhi and Tamil Nadu follow closely behind, with average IQs ranging from 106–109 and 103–106 respectively. According to the source, these findings shed light on the strong correlation between robust educational ecosystems and cognitive development across India’s diverse states and union territories.

Kerala’s top ranking is widely attributed to its enduring commitment to accessible public education, universal literacy campaigns, and widespread availability of libraries and early childhood learning centres. The state’s consistent academic performance over decades has made it a national leader in education indicators.

Delhi, the national capital, secured second place, benefiting from a competitive academic environment, a dense concentration of high-quality institutions, and substantial access to extracurricular academic resources.

The capital’s diverse population and early access to advanced learning methods have contributed to higher average cognitive scores, experts believe.

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