Uttarakhand has become the sixth state in India to achieve fully literate status under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, also known as the New India Literacy Programme. The achievement marks an important milestone in adult education and the expansion of literacy opportunities across the country. The declaration was approved by Uttarakhand Governor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Gurmit Singh on 8 July 2026, after the state met the prescribed adult literacy benchmarks established by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Union Ministry of Education.
Under the national framework, a state or Union Territory can be declared fully literate when it achieves a literacy rate of at least 95% among the relevant population aged 15 years and above under the prescribed assessment framework. This benchmark is associated with the ULLAS programme and its focus on foundational literacy and numeracy. The achievement reflects progress in enabling adults who missed formal schooling to develop essential reading, writing and numerical skills. However, achieving the benchmark does not mean that every individual in the state is literate or that further educational efforts are unnecessary.
Before Uttarakhand’s declaration, Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim had achieved fully literate state status under the relevant programme framework. Uttarakhand’s inclusion highlights the role of state-level educational initiatives, community participation and adult learning opportunities in advancing India’s literacy goals. For competitive examinations, candidates should remember the five states that preceded Uttarakhand, as well as the fact that the designation is based on prescribed literacy benchmarks rather than universal literacy among every resident.
ULLAS stands for Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society. Officially known as ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, the programme is a centrally sponsored initiative implemented from the financial year 2022–23 to 2026–27. It supports people aged 15 years and above who did not have the opportunity to receive formal education. The programme aligns with NEP 2020 and promotes lifelong learning, community participation and volunteer-based teaching. Its vision is expressed through the slogan “Jan Jan Saakshar,” which emphasises literacy for every individual.
The ULLAS programme covers five major areas: foundational literacy and numeracy, critical life skills, basic education, vocational skills and continuing education. Foundational learning helps adults develop reading, writing and calculation abilities. Critical life skills include digital, financial and legal literacy, healthcare awareness and other practical knowledge. Basic education provides opportunities to continue learning, while vocational skills support employability and livelihood development. Continuing education encourages learners to pursue further learning in subjects such as science, technology, culture, arts and sports. Together, these components seek to make literacy relevant to everyday life.
The ULLAS programme combines classroom-based support with digital learning resources. Volunteers, teachers, civil society workers and community-level personnel can help identify non-literate adults and guide them through learning activities. The ULLAS mobile application and online portal provide educational materials in multiple Indian languages, helping learners access content suited to their linguistic needs. Learners can develop their skills and appear for the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT). This approach encourages local participation while using technology to make adult education more accessible.
The declaration recognises progress in expanding literacy opportunities across Uttarakhand. It also highlights the importance of sustained cooperation among the government, teachers, volunteers, students and local communities. Improved adult literacy can help people access public information, understand financial services, use digital platforms and participate more effectively in social and economic activities. The state government has also highlighted digital literacy, financial literacy, continuing education and life skills as important areas for future progress. Maintaining these gains will require continued learning opportunities, especially for adults who face barriers to education.
The development is important for candidates preparing for UPSC, State PCS examinations, teaching eligibility tests, banking examinations, railway recruitment and other government recruitment tests. Questions may cover the name and objectives of ULLAS, the National Education Policy 2020, the adult literacy benchmark, the ministry responsible for the programme and the states that achieved fully literate status before Uttarakhand. Candidates should also understand the difference between basic literacy, functional literacy and lifelong learning. These concepts connect the news to education policy, social development, human resource development and inclusive growth.
Uttarakhand’s achievement demonstrates the importance of adult education in improving literacy and expanding access to learning. ULLAS provides opportunities for people aged 15 years and above who missed formal schooling to acquire essential reading, writing and numeracy skills.
The achievement reflects the implementation of NEP 2020, which emphasises inclusive education and lifelong learning. ULLAS supports these objectives by combining foundational learning with practical life skills, vocational education and continuing education.
Literacy today extends beyond reading and writing. Digital and financial literacy can help adults access online services, understand financial transactions and make informed decisions. The ULLAS framework incorporates these practical skills into its broader educational approach.
The news is relevant to General Awareness, Indian Polity, Education Policy and Social Development sections of competitive examinations. Candidates should remember Uttarakhand’s position as the sixth fully literate state, the ULLAS programme’s full form, its implementing ministry and the literacy benchmark of 95%.
Improved literacy can strengthen individual participation in society and increase access to information and opportunities. Uttarakhand’s achievement also highlights the contribution of teachers, volunteers and local communities in advancing educational inclusion. Continued learning remains essential to sustain literacy gains.
India has historically faced the challenge of providing educational opportunities to adults who could not attend or complete formal schooling. According to the 2011 Census figures cited by the Ministry of Education, approximately 25.76 crore people aged 15 years and above were non-literate. Earlier initiatives, including the Saakshar Bharat programme, sought to address this challenge through adult education and literacy campaigns.
The National Education Policy 2020 established a broader vision for inclusive education, foundational learning and lifelong learning. It recognised the importance of extending educational opportunities beyond school-age children and supporting adults who had missed formal education.
The Government of India introduced ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram for implementation during the financial years 2022–23 to 2026–27. The centrally sponsored programme aims to improve adult literacy through foundational education, critical life skills, vocational learning and continuing education. Its approved financial outlay is ₹1,037.90 crore over five years.
Ladakh was declared fully literate in 2024 under the programme. Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim subsequently achieved fully literate status before Uttarakhand’s declaration in July 2026. These developments reflect efforts to expand adult literacy through assessment, community participation and structured learning opportunities.
On 8 July 2026, the Governor approved the declaration recognising Uttarakhand as the country’s sixth fully literate state under the reported state sequence. The achievement provides an important case study in the implementation of adult literacy initiatives and the role of public participation in educational development. The next priority is to sustain literacy and expand digital literacy, financial awareness and continuing education.
Q1. Which state became India’s sixth fully literate state under the ULLAS programme?
Uttarakhand became India’s sixth fully literate state under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram in July 2026.
Q2. When was Uttarakhand declared a fully literate state?
The declaration was approved on 8 July 2026 by Uttarakhand Governor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Gurmit Singh.
Q3. What is the full form of ULLAS?
ULLAS stands for Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society. It is also known as the Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram or New India Literacy Programme.
Q4. Which ministry implements the ULLAS programme?
The Ministry of Education, Government of India, implements the programme through the Department of School Education and Literacy.
Q5. What is the literacy benchmark for declaring a state fully literate under ULLAS?
The prescribed benchmark is a literacy rate of at least 95% among the relevant population aged 15 years and above under the programme’s assessment framework.
Q6. Which five states achieved fully literate status before Uttarakhand?
The five states were Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
Q7. When was the ULLAS programme launched?
The programme was introduced for implementation from the financial year 2022–23 and is scheduled to run through 2026–27.
Q8. Which national education policy is associated with the ULLAS programme?
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises inclusive education and lifelong learning.
Q9. Who are the primary beneficiaries of ULLAS?
People aged 15 years and above who did not have the opportunity to receive formal education.
Q10. What are the five major components of ULLAS?
The five components are foundational literacy and numeracy, critical life skills, basic education, vocational skills and continuing education.
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