NEWS

• Himachal Pradesh has been declared a fully literate state, joining Goa, Tripura, Mizoram, and the Union Territory of Ladakh.
• Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced that the state has achieved a 99.3% literacy rate, surpassing the national benchmark of 95%.

HIGHLIGHTS

National Context

• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted that India’s literacy rate rose from 74% in 2011 to 80.9% in 2023-24.
• He congratulated the states and UTs achieving full literacy, crediting the collective effort of government, society, and volunteers.

ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram

• A flagship programme under the New India Literacy Programme (NILP), operational from 2022–2027.
• Over 3 crore learners and 42 lakh volunteers have enrolled.
• 1.83 crore learners have completed foundational literacy and numeracy assessments with a 90% success rate.
• Provides learning materials in 26 Indian languages, ensuring inclusive literacy.

Definition of Full Literacy

• Literacy is defined as the ability to read, write, and compute with comprehension, including critical life skills such as digital and financial literacy.
• 95% literacy rate in a state/UT is considered equivalent to full literacy under the ULLAS guidelines.
• NEP 2020 emphasizes adult education initiatives to accelerate the goal of 100% literacy.

Significance and Theme

• The theme of International Literacy Day 2025 was “Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era”, highlighting digital tools for reading, writing, numeracy, and lifelong learning.
• Programmes like ULLAS align with NEP 2020, fostering volunteerism and critical life skills, including financial and digital literacy.