Syllabus:

GS-2: Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources

Context: Recently, Ministry of Education declared Himachal Pradesh a fully literate state under the centrally sponsored literacy programme ULLAS.

More on the News 

• On the Occasion of International Literacy Day (ILD) 2025, Himachal Pradesh was declared the fifth State/UT to achieve full functional literacy, after Tripura, Mizoram, Goa and Ladakh.

• Himachal Pradesh has reached a 99.3% literacy rate, way higher than the national benchmark of 95% while the literacy rate was just 7% in 1947. 

• India’s literacy rate has risen from 74% in 2011 to 80.9% in 2023-24. (MoE 2025)

Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS)

• ULLAS - Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, also known as the New India Literacy Programme (NILP), is a centrally sponsored initiative that aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, being implemented for the period 2022-2027.

• It aims to empower adults aged 15 and above from all backgrounds who missed formal schooling, helping them integrate into society and contribute to the nation ‘s growth.

• Objective: The scheme covers non-literates of the age group of 15 years and above in all states/UTs in the country. 

• The target for Foundational Literacy and Numeracy for FYs 2022-27 is five crore learners at 1.00 crore learners per year. 

• Redefining Literacy: Under ULLAS, literacy is redefined from mere signature to basic literacy and numeracy, where learners are considered literate only if they can functionally read, write, perform basic calculations, and possess digital and financial literacy.

• Learning Together: The scheme is implemented in the spirit of volunteerism (‘Kartavyabodh’) through a hybrid mode of online and offline learning.

• ULLAS Mobile App and Portal: Both are available in 22 languages and allow learners and volunteer teachers to register through a self-registration option.

International Literacy Day (ILD)

• To highlight the significance of literacy in building a more literate, just, peaceful, and sustainable society, UNESCO declared International Literacy Day on 8 September, adopted at UNESCO’s 14th General Conference on 26 October 1966. 

• It has been observed annually since 1967.

• Theme for 2025: Promoting literacy in the digital era. 

• According to UNESCO, despite progress, at least 739 million youth and adults worldwide still lack basic literacy skills in 2024. 

• At the same time, 4 in 10 children are not reaching minimum proficiency in reading, and 272 million children and adolescents were out of school in 2023.

Sources:
DD News
PIB
Tribune India