Reference:

• Under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the ULLAS Programme, Uttarakhand has been declared India's sixth fully literate state with an adult literacy rate of 98.7%.

Key Highlights:

• Announcement: Declared by the Governor of Uttarakhand, Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (Retd.).
• Prescribed Criterion: According to the Ministry of Education, a State/Union Territory can be declared 'Fully Literate' if its adult literacy rate crosses 95%.
• Standard: As per the Ministry of Education norms, when the adult literacy rate (15 years and above) of a State/UT reaches 95% or more, it is declared 'Fully Literate'. Uttarakhand has comfortably crossed this benchmark.
• Status & Rank: Uttarakhand has become the 6th Fully Literate State in India.
• Uttarakhand's Achievement: The State's literacy rate increased from 83.8% in 2023-24 to 98.7% within just two years.
• Earlier Approval: The proposal was approved by the Uttarakhand State Cabinet in June 2026.
• Official Recognition: The recognition was granted after the State fulfilled the literacy standards prescribed by the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education.

Other Fully Literate States:

ULLAS Initiative:

• Full Form: Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) – New India Literacy Programme.
• Nature: A Centrally Sponsored Scheme, launched in 2022 in line with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Education.
• Target Group: Non-literate citizens aged 15 years and above who missed the opportunity of formal schooling.
• Tagline: "Jan Jan Sakshar" (Education for All).
• National Target: To cover 5 crore non-literate adults during 2022–2027 (around 1 crore every year).
• Benchmark for Full Literacy: According to the Ministry of Education, a State/UT can be declared Fully Literate when the adult literacy rate (15 years and above) reaches 95% or above.

Five Key Components of ULLAS:

1. Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN): Basic reading, writing and arithmetic.
2. Critical Life Skills: Financial literacy, digital literacy, legal literacy, electoral literacy, environmental literacy and health awareness.
3. Vocational Skills Development: Skill training for local employment and livelihood opportunities.
4. Basic Education: Providing equivalency at elementary, middle and secondary levels.
5. Continuing Education: Lifelong learning opportunities in arts, science, culture, technology and recreation.

National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020):

Introduction:

• The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 was announced by the Government of India on 29 July 2020.
• It is the first major education policy reform since the 1986 National Policy on Education.
• The policy aims to make India a global knowledge superpower by making education inclusive, holistic, flexible and aligned with the needs of the 21st century.

Main Objectives:

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

Key Features:

Structure (5+3+3+4):

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

Literacy Rate in India (Census 2011):

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