In a landmark moment for Indian education, Mizoram has officially been declared a fully literate state—the first in the country to achieve this feat. Chief Minister Lalduhoma made the announcement on Tuesday, 20th May 2025, during a special ceremony held at Mizoram University in Aizawl.
The event saw the presence of several prominent dignitaries, including Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education; Dr Vanlalthlana, Mizoram’s Minister for School, Higher & Technical Education; Chief Secretary Khilli Ram Meena, IAS; and Special Secretary of School Education Shri David Lalthantluanga, along with state officials and university students.
Mizoram, which became a state in 1987, has consistently shown strong performance in literacy. The 2011 Census recorded its literacy rate at 91.33%, the third-highest in India at the time. The latest milestone has been reached through the implementation of the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (New India Literacy Programme), a centrally sponsored initiative aimed at educating adults who missed formal schooling.
During a comprehensive door-to-door survey in August and September 2023, 3,026 non-literate adults were identified across the state. With active engagement of 1,692 learners and support from 292 dedicated volunteers—including students, teachers, and educational coordinators—Mizoram surpassed the 95% literacy threshold, which qualifies a region for “full literacy” status under Ministry of Education norms. The recent PFLS 2023–24 survey pegged Mizoram’s literacy rate at 98.20%.
The campaign drew strength from Mizo cultural values and a deep-rooted sense of responsibility (Kartavya Bodh), making it a community-driven success. The volunteers, under the ULLAS framework, played a pivotal role in reaching the last mile of non-literates in the state.
ULLAS, running from 2022 to 2027 in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, addresses adult education through five key focus areas: foundational literacy and numeracy, critical life skills, basic education, vocational training, and continuing education. The initiative emphasises voluntary participation and is backed by digital tools such as the ULLAS mobile app, which has already registered over 2.37 crore learners and 40.84 lakh volunteers nationwide. Over 1.77 crore learners have taken part in the foundational assessment test.
Prior to Mizoram, Ladakh had declared full literacy on 24th June 2024, becoming the first Union Territory to do so. With this new milestone, Mizoram now stands as a national model for inclusive education and collective civic action.
