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.”
