Context:

• Himachal Pradesh has been declared the 5th fully literate State/Union Territory with a literacy rate of 99.3% (after Tripura, Mizoram, Goa, and Ladakh).

Key Points:

• Achievement announced on: International Literacy Day
• Occasion: Ullas Mela 2025, Shimla
• Announced by: Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh (Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu)
• Ranked 1st in the country in terms of student-teacher ratio

Special List of Other Fully Literate States:

• Mizoram: India’s first fully literate state, literacy rate 98.2% (2025)
• Goa: Second state, literacy rate ~100% (2025)
• Tripura: Third, literacy rate ~95–96% (2025)
• Himachal Pradesh: Fourth, literacy rate 99.3% (September 2025)
• Ladakh (Union Territory): First fully literate UT, literacy rate >95% (2025)

Himachal’s Literacy Journey:

• After Independence: 7%
• 2011: As per Census, literacy rate reached 82.8%, higher than the national average of 74%
• 2023-24: According to National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), India’s overall literacy rate was 80.9%, while Himachal touched 99.3%

Key Success Factors

Policy Reforms and Government Initiatives:

• ULLAS Programme: This central initiative contributed significantly to literacy promotion. The programme involved more than 3 crore learners and 42 lakh volunteers, with material available in 26 Indian languages.
• Investment in Education: Himachal government invested heavily in infrastructure, teacher training, and educational resources in schools.

Definition of Literacy Rate

• Literacy rate defined under the Government of India’s ULLAS Programme.
• Under the ULLAS programme, more than 95% of the population above 15 years of age should be able to read, write, and perform basic arithmetic.
• Literacy rate is the percentage of the population that can read and write.
• Generally measured for people aged 15 years and above.
• Expressed in relation to a country, state, or geographical region at a particular point in time.
• Includes persons who can read with understanding and write in any language.
• Literacy rate indicates the percentage of population in a society or country that is educated or literate.

‘ULLAS: Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram’

• A centrally sponsored scheme.
• Implemented by Government of India for the period 2022–2027.
• Aligned with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Objective: To make adults aged 15 years and above, who missed formal schooling, literate.

Main Objectives:

• Foundational Literacy & Numeracy
• Critical Life Skills (financial, digital, health, childcare, family welfare, etc.)
• Basic Education (primary, secondary, and equivalent education)
• Vocational Skills Development (for local employment)
• Continuing Education (courses in arts, science, technology, culture, sports, etc. for adults)

Implementation Highlights:

• Volunteer-based model: Implemented through volunteers who guide and train learners.
• Digital platforms: ‘ULLAS’ mobile app, DIKSHA portal and other tools provide online registration, study and assessment facilities.
• Certification: Literacy certificates jointly issued by NIOS and DSEL.
• Target: To make 5 crore adults literate during 2022–27 (1 crore per year).
• Financial Outlay: ₹1037.90 crore (Centre: ₹700 crore, States: ₹337.90 crore).

Features:

• Inclusivity: Covers illiterate adults (15+ years) across all States/UTs.
• Social Responsibility: Promotes sense of ‘Kartavya Bodh’ (duty consciousness) and community participation.
• Continuous Progress: Digital certificates for learners and teachers to enhance confidence and motivate continuous learning.

National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020)

Introduction:

• Announced on 29 July 2020 by Government of India.
• First major reform after the previous policy of 1986.
• Aim: To make India a global knowledge superpower and education system inclusive, holistic, flexible, and aligned to 21st-century needs.

Main Goals:

• Achieve 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) by 2030.
• Increase public expenditure on education to 6% of GDP.
• Provide quality, inclusive and equitable education for all.
• Focus on holistic development of students (physical, mental, social, moral).
• Promote technical, vocational, and skill-based education.

Key Features:

Structure (5+3+3+4):

• 5 years: Foundational Stage (3 years pre-primary + Classes 1–2)
• 3 years: Preparatory Stage (Classes 3–5)
• 3 years: Middle Stage (Classes 6–8)
• 4 years: Secondary Stage (Classes 9–12)

Literacy Rate in India as per Census 2011:

• Overall Literacy Rate: 74.04%
• Male Literacy Rate: 82.14%
• Female Literacy Rate: 65.46%
• State with Highest Literacy: Kerala, ~93.91% (Mizoram: 91.58%)
• UT with Highest Literacy: Lakshadweep, ~92.28%
• State with Lowest Literacy: Bihar, 63.82%
• Highest Male Literacy: Kerala, 96.11% (Lakshadweep, 95.56%)
• Highest Female Literacy: Kerala, 91.98% (Mizoram, 89.40%)

Himachal Pradesh:

• The name "Himachal" is derived from the Sanskrit words "himā" (snow) and "anchal" (lap), which aptly describes its geography nestled in the Himalayas
• Himachal Pradesh Day: 15 April
• Became a Category C state with the implementation of the Indian Constitution on 26 January 1950
• Became a Union Territory on 1 November 1956 and was expanded with the hilly areas of Punjab in the year 1966
• Gave full statehood on 25 January 1971 and became the 18th state of India under the Himachal Pradesh Act, 1970
• Capital: Shimla (Summer), Dharamshala (Winter)

Geographical Location:

• Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh in the north
• Tibet (China) in the east
• Uttarakhand and Haryana in the south
• Punjab in the west

Administrative Division:

• Districts: 12
• Divisions: Kangra, Mandi, Shimla
• Assembly Seats: 68
• Lok Sabha Seats: 4
• Rajya Sabha Seats: 3
• Main Languages: Hindi (Official Language), Pahari Dialects, Punjabi, Kinnauri

Culture and Tourism:

• Folk Dance: Nati, Kinnauri, Lungi, Kayang
• Major Festivals: Kullu Dussehra, Minjar Fair, Shivratri Festival (Mandi), Lohri
• Religious Places: Jwalamukhi, Chamunda Devi, Hadimba Temple, Baijnath Temple
• Tourist Places: Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Dalhousie, Kinnaur, Spiti Valley
• UNESCO Heritage: Kalka-Shimla Railway

Symbol:

• State Animal: Snow Leopard
• State Bird: Western Tragopan
• State Tree: Deodar
• State Flower: Pink Rhododendron
• International Border: Shares a border of about 346 km with Tibet (China).
• Rivers: Ravi, Beas, Chenab, Yamuna and Sutlej are the major rivers here.
• Highest Peak: Reo Purgyil is the highest peak of Himachal Pradesh