Himachal Pradesh declared ‘fully literate’: Key Points

Declaration

• Himachal Pradesh has been declared a ‘fully literate’ state.
• It is the 5th such State/UT after Goa, Ladakh, Mizoram, and Tripura.
• Literacy rates: Himachal 99.3%, Goa 99.72%, Mizoram 98.2%, Tripura 95.6%, Ladakh 97%.
• Note: None have 100% literacy.

Definition of Literacy

• Ministry of Education defines literacy as: ability to read, write, compute with comprehension + skills like digital literacy, financial literacy, etc.
• Full literacy = achieving 95% literacy in a State/UT.
• Definition issued in August 2023 for the ULLAS programme.

ULLAS Programme

• ULLAS: Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society.
• Launched in 2022 to achieve 100% literacy by 2030 (aligned with UN SDG & NEP 2020).
• Focus: people aged 15+ who missed formal schooling.

How Literacy is Attained under ULLAS

• Adults learn:
  • Reading, writing, math (up to Class 3 level).
  • Reading clocks, calendars, using currency, writing cheques.
  • Safe digital transactions.
• Training via mobile app or offline by volunteers/students.
• Final test: Functional Literacy Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT), 150 marks, in learner’s chosen language.
• Certification: Issued by National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).

Process for States to be ‘Fully Literate’

• States conduct door-to-door surveys or use data to identify illiterate adults.
• Those identified are trained + must clear FLNAT.
• Once identified population clears, state gets ‘fully literate’ tag.
• Smaller populations & already high literacy states achieve this faster.
• Census 2011 literacy: Goa 88.7%, Himachal 82.8%, Mizoram 91.3%, Tripura 87.2% (all above national avg 74%).

Measurement of Literacy in India (till now)

• 2011 Census: literate = anyone aged 7+ who can read & write with understanding in any language.
  • Overall: 74%.
  • Male: 80.9%, Female: 64.6%.
  • Adult literacy (15+): 69.3%.
• National Sample Survey (NSS) 2014: adult literacy 71%.
  • Goa: 90%, Himachal: 83%, Mizoram: 96%, Tripura: 86%.
• Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24: literacy (7+) = 77.5%.
  • Tripura: 93.7%, Mizoram: 98.2%, Goa: 93.6%, Himachal: 88.8%.
  • Adult illiteracy (15+): National 22.3%.
    • Mizoram 2.2% (lowest), Goa 7.3%, Tripura 7.4%, Himachal 12.7%.
    • Bihar 33.1% (highest), followed by Andhra Pradesh (31.5%) & MP (28.9%).

Earlier Adult Literacy Schemes

• 1960s–70s: programs for farmers & women.
• 1978: National Adult Education Programme (15–35 years).
• 1988–2009: National Literacy Mission (15–35 years).
• 2009–2018: Saakshar Bharat scheme (15+ years), focused on functional literacy & numeracy.