INDIA’S LITERACY RATE RISES TO 80.9% (2023–24)

Current Context: On International Literacy Day 2025, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that India’s literacy rate rose from 74% in 2011 to 80.9% in 2023–24 driven by ULLAS-Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram.

About ULLAS – NAV BHARAT SAAKSHARTA KARYAKRAM

• Enrolled: 3 crore+ learners.
• Volunteers Mobilized: 42 lakh+.
• Assessment: 1.83 crore learners tested in basic literacy & numeracy.
• Pass Rate: 90%.
• Languages: Learning content in 26 Indian languages for inclusivity.

FULL LITERACY REGIONS

• Union Territory: Ladakh (declared fully literate on 24 June 2024).
• States: Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh.

ABOUT ULLAS

• Full Form: Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society.
• Launched By: Ministry of Education, Government of India.
• Year: 2023.
• Coverage: Nationwide scheme.

OBJECTIVES

• To create opportunities for lifelong learning among all age groups.
• To promote basic literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy for adults (15 years and above).
• To provide vocational skills, financial literacy, and healthcare awareness.
• To enhance critical life skills including cultural values, environmental awareness, and citizenship duties.

Imp. Fact : International Literacy Day was observed on 08 September under theme Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era.

• Himachal Pradesh is now the fourth fully literate state in India, with a 99.3 per cent literacy rate, higher than the national benchmark of 95 per cent, Himachal joins Mizoram, Tripura and Goa on the list.