https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Powered by ULLAS and Community Altruism, Mizoram Reaches 98.2% Literacy Rate

Mizoram becomes India’s first fully literate state, achieving 98.2% literacy through ULLAS and strong community-driven educational efforts. Read the article for more information. 
Indian Masterminds Stories

In a historic milestone for Indian education, Mizoram has become the first state in the country to achieve full literacy. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Lalduhoma on May 20, 2025, during a celebratory event held at Mizoram University in Aizawl. This achievement marks a turning point in the nation’s literacy journey and underscores Mizoram’s enduring commitment to inclusive education and community empowerment.

A LEGACY OF EDUCATIONAL FOCUS

Mizoram, a state since 1987, has long prioritised education, with a literacy rate of 91.33% in the 2011 Census, ranking third in India at the time. The recent success stems from the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (New India Literacy Programme), a centrally sponsored initiative launched in 2022 to educate adults who missed formal schooling. Through a door-to-door survey conducted in August and September 2023, Mizoram identified 3,026 non-literate adults. With the support of 292 volunteers, including students, teachers, and coordinators, and 1,692 learners, the state surpassed the 95% literacy threshold required for “full literacy” status, achieving a remarkable 98.20% literacy rate in the 2023–24 PFLS survey.

“Mizo society’s close-knit nature and sense of duty, or Tlawmngaihna, made this possible,” David Lalthantluanga, IAS, Special Secretary of School Education, Government of Mizoram, told Indian Masterminds. “The community’s willingness to volunteer and the enthusiasm of learners drove this collective effort.”

ULLAS: STRUCTURED LEARNING FOR ALL

The ULLAS programme, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focuses on five key areas: foundational literacy and numeracy, critical life skills, basic education, vocational training, and continuing education. Supported by digital tools like the ULLAS mobile app, which has registered over 2.37 crore learners and 40.84 lakh volunteers nationwide, the initiative emphasises voluntary participation. In Mizoram, the State Centre for Literacy (SCL) at SCERT developed primers, worksheets, and test materials, enabling 425 neo-literates to earn certification through the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT) under the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).

“The structured approach of ULLAS, combined with our community’s commitment, ensured we reached every non-literate individual,” Andrew Lalrintluanga, Deputy State Project Director, Samagra Shiksha Mizoram, shared with Indian Masterminds. “Our volunteers were instrumental in making education accessible.”

CULTURE AND COLLABORATION: THE DRIVING FORCE 

The state’s efforts were bolstered by its cultural ethos of Kartavya Bodh (sense of duty) and Tlawmngaihna (altruism), which fostered a collaborative environment. The Adult Education Wing under the School Education Directorate, along with the State Literacy Mission Authority, played a key role in coordinating the initiative. Cluster Resource Centre Coordinators (CRCCs) conducted surveys, while the State Project Office, Samagra Shiksha Mizoram, served as the implementing agency.

“No major challenges hindered our progress,” Mr Lalrintluanga noted. “The community’s eagerness to participate and the government’s streamlined efforts ensured smooth implementation.”

A MODEL FOR THE NATION 

Mizoram’s achievement follows Ladakh’s declaration as the first fully literate Union Territory on June 24, 2024. The state’s success sets a national benchmark for inclusive education, highlighting the power of community-driven initiatives. While foundational literacy and numeracy remain ongoing priorities, Mizoram plans to expand efforts into ULLAS’s other components, such as vocational training and continuing education.

The Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, which ensures free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14, complements these efforts. “If we sustain universal access to education for children, we can prevent adult illiteracy in the future,” Mr Lalthantluanga emphasised.

As Mizoram celebrates this milestone, it stands as a model for other states, demonstrating how coordinated efforts, cultural values, and government support can transform educational landscapes. “This is a collective victory for Mizoram,” Mr Lalrintluanga concluded, “and a step toward a fully literate India.”


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Bombay High Court
Decentralising Justice: Bombay High Court Bench Set to Start Functioning in Kolhapur from August 18
Ministry of Coal
Coal Power Trio: CIL, NLCIL & SCCL Achieve 114% of Q1 Capex Target, Signalling Aggressive Growth
Indian Forest Services IFS officer
Uttarakhand Forest Department Set for Major IFS Reshuffle Post Election Code Lift - Details Inside
UPPSC_UPPCS_resized
UPPSC BEO Recruitment 2025: Rules Amended, Legal Hurdles Cleared for 134 Vacancies - Details Inside
Former CJI DY Chandrachud
Former CJI D.Y. Chandrachud Vacates Official Bungalow, Shifts to Teen Murti Marg
Dr Mayank Sharma
Seasoned IDAS Officer Dr. Mayank Sharma Assumes Role of Financial Advisor to the Defence Services
Raj Kumar Arora
Defence Finance Leadership Strengthened: IDAS Officer Raj Kumar Arora Takes Charge as Controller General of Defence Accounts
IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma
Real-Life Hero Honoured Onscreen: IPS Manoj Kumar Sharma Applauds ‘12th Fail’ After National Award Triumph
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Karn Satyarthi
How IAS Karn Satyarthi Transformed Gumla Through Empathy and Innovation
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi’s Take on Corruption, Reform, and Duty
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
What Most Indians Don't Know About Jim Corbett
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
BPSC Bihar police
From Lantern Light to Police Uniform: How Praveen Kumar from a Small Bihar Village Cracked BPSC to Become SDPO
From a lantern-lit village in Bihar to becoming an SDPO, Praveen Kumar's journey is a testament to resilience,...
IAS Priyansha Garg
Why Mindset Matters: IAS Priyansha Garg’s Mental Health Mantra for UPSC
After two failed prelims, Priyansha Garg cracked UPSC with AIR 31 in her fourth attempt, proving how...
Ashish Akshat
From Setback to State Topper: How Ashish Akshat Topped JPSC While Working Full-Time
Ashish Akshat from Dhanbad topped JPSC 2023, proving that resilience, discipline, and family support...
Social Media
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve: From India’s First Sanctuary to a Tiger Conservation Success Story | International Tiger Day Special
IAS Supriya Sahu Hails Mudumalai's Role in Tiger Conservation on Tiger Day. Declared in 1940, Now Among...
Mangroves
Mangroves: Nature’s Shield Against Disasters, Says Officer Parveen Kaswan on Mangroves Day - Watch His Post Here
Mangroves, with their dense, interlaced root systems, form a mesh-like structure that serves as a buffer...
Retired IPS Inderjit Singh Sidhu
Purpose Doesn’t Retire: How 88-Year-Old Retired DIG Becomes Chandigarh’s ‘Quiet Warrior’ of Cleanliness
Inderjit Singh Sidhu’s Dawn Patrol Earns Applause, Mahindra’s Praise for a Man Who Chose Action Over...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Bombay High Court
Decentralising Justice: Bombay High Court Bench Set to Start Functioning in Kolhapur from August 18
Ministry of Coal
Coal Power Trio: CIL, NLCIL & SCCL Achieve 114% of Q1 Capex Target, Signalling Aggressive Growth
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Karn Satyarthi
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT