The Ministry of Education (MoE) has set a clear goal for States and Union Territories to achieve “full literacy” by 2030 under the New India Literacy Programme (NILP). In a recent directive, School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar emphasized the importance of adult literacy, urging the onboarding of one crore learners annually through this five-year initiative (2022-2027). Kumar outlined that “literacy” goes beyond reading and writing, encompassing numeracy and essential life skills like digital and financial literacy. A State or Union Territory will be deemed “fully literate” when it reaches a 95% literacy rate, which the NILP considers equivalent to 100% literacy.

The MoE clarified that individuals previously classified as non-literate could attain literacy status by passing the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT). The latest FLNAT in March 2024 saw an 85.27% pass rate, slightly lower than in previous years.

The NILP has a budget of ₹160 crore for 2024-25, though past fund utilization has been inconsistent. Despite previous literacy programs like Saakshar Bharat, a significant portion of India’s adult population remains non-literate, highlighting the ongoing challenges.

The Ministry’s ULLAS initiative, part of NILP, is expected to be instrumental in addressing these gaps, with the ultimate aim of achieving full literacy across India by 2030. Kumar’s message to State governments underscores the urgency of this national mission and the collective effort needed to realize this ambitious goal.