Himachal Pradesh Declared 'Fully Literate' State | 10 Sep 2025

The declaration was made on the occasion of International Literacy Day on 8th September, under the ULLAS program.

Himachal Pradesh has become the fourth state to achieve full functional literacy, joining Tripura, Mizoram, and Goa in this significant milestone.
In June 2024, Ladakh was declared the first Union Territory to be fully literate.
Himachal Pradesh literacy rate has reached 99.30%, exceeding the national benchmark of 95%, which the Ministry of Education considers equivalent to full literacy(100%).

ULLAS Program

ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, is a centrally sponsored scheme being implemented from 2022 to 2027.
It is also known as the New India Literacy Programme (NILP) targets non-literate adults aged 15 and above.
It aims to provide literacy, digital literacy, and critical life skills such as financial literacy.
It has enrolled over 3 crore learners and 42 lakh volunteers, with 1.83 crore learners having completed foundational literacy assessments with a 90% success rate.
The program now offers materials in 26 Indian languages, emphasizing inclusive literacy.

According to the Office of the Registrar General of India, a person aged 7 years or older who can read and write with understanding in any language is considered literate.
Functional literacy refers to an individual's capability to use reading, writing, and numerical skills in everyday tasks that contribute to personal growth and community participation.
According to the PLFS 2023-24, India’s overall literacy rate is 80.9%.