Information Literacy Skills among Postgraduate Students: A Descriptive Study

Information literacy has emerged as a core competency for students in higher education in the digital age. The ability to identify information needs, locate relevant resources, evaluate credibility, use information ethically, and acknowledge sources appropriately is essential for academic success and lifelong learning. The present study investigates the level of information literacy skills among postgraduate students, with special reference to second-year students of the Botany Department. Using a descriptive survey method and a structured questionnaire based on ACRL Information Literacy Competency Standards, data were collected from 30 respondents. The findings reveal that while students show moderate awareness in identifying information needs and differentiating between scholarly and popular sources, significant gaps exist in areas such as locating library resources, citation practices, understanding peer review, and ethical use of information. The study highlights the urgent need for structured and continuous information literacy programs through collaborative efforts of librarians and faculty.