Himachal Pradesh declared fully literate, becomes fifth state/UT achieving milestone
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Himachal Pradesh has officially become the fifth State/Union Territory in India to achieve full functional literacy, joining Tripura, Mizoram, Goa, and Ladakh.
The announcement was made by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday during an event marking International Literacy Day.
Pradhan said this accomplishment “reaffirms the power of collective effort by the government, society and volunteers.” He praised the efforts of all stakeholders and highlighted that the achievement reflects the spirit of cooperation.
In his virtual address, the minister echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s belief that education forms the “foundation of civilisation” and urged renewed commitment toward making India literate, self-reliant, and developed. He stressed that “literacy goes beyond reading and writing. It is a means to dignity, empowerment and self-reliance.”
The theme for this year’s celebration was “Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era,” focusing on how technology supports learning, numeracy, and lifelong skills across the country. Minister Pradhan pointed out that India’s literacy rate has increased from 74% in 2011 to 80.9% in 2023–24. However, he emphasised that true progress is only achieved when literacy reaches every individual.
He also spoke about the Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, which has enrolled over 3 crore learners and 42 lakh volunteers. So far, 1.83 crore learners have taken foundational literacy and numeracy assessments, achieving a 90% success rate. The programme now offers learning materials in 26 Indian languages, making education accessible and inclusive.
He encouraged students and youth to actively participate in the literacy mission and suggested integrating such initiatives with academic credits.
Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary expressed pride that Himachal Pradesh joined other regions like Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, and Ladakh in achieving full literacy. He highlighted the challenges posed by difficult terrains and limited resources but praised how communities, volunteers, and governments overcame these obstacles.
He remarked, “This collective achievement shows how determination can overcome geography and deserves recognition and applause.”
Chaudhary also noted that literacy now includes digital skills. He pointed out that India’s robust Digital Public Infrastructure has accelerated education and inclusion, setting an example for the world, especially the Global South. “Achievements that might have taken fifty years have been realised in just a decade through India’s digital innovations,” he added.