Uttarakhand has become the sixth fully literate state in the country under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Union government's 'ULLAS' (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) programme, marking a significant milestone in its education journey, officials said.
The achievement comes after the state successfully met the adult literacy benchmarks prescribed by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Union Ministry of Education. Following the completion of the required parameters, Uttarakhand Governor Lieutenant General (retd) Gurmeet Singh approved the proposal declaring the state fully literate.
With this accomplishment, Uttarakhand joins the list of states that have attained full literacy status under the national programme. Before Uttarakhand, Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim had already been recognised as fully literate states.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami hailed the development as a historic milestone, saying it reflected the success of sustained government efforts as well as the active participation of citizens in literacy initiatives across the state. Congratulating the people of Uttarakhand, Dhami said the achievement was the result of a collective commitment to expanding educational opportunities and ensuring that no adult was left behind in the literacy mission.
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"Such collective efforts will help in realising the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) by 2047. The government will continue to work with full commitment to ensure that digital literacy, financial literacy, continuing education and life skills reach every citizen," the Chief Minister said.
He also emphasised that literacy is not limited to the ability to read and write but serves as the foundation for social empowerment, economic progress and inclusive development. Strengthening adult education and lifelong learning, he added, would play a vital role in preparing citizens for the demands of a rapidly changing world.
The proposal to declare Uttarakhand a fully literate state had earlier received approval from the state cabinet on June 19, paving the way for its formal recognition after the completion of all required procedures.
According to officials, Uttarakhand's literacy rate has now crossed 98 per cent, reflecting the success of various literacy campaigns and educational initiatives undertaken over the years. The state has also made significant progress in promoting adult education through the ULLAS programme, which focuses on foundational literacy and numeracy, critical life skills, digital and financial literacy, and continuing education for adult learners.
Officials said the recognition is expected to further strengthen the state's focus on quality education, lifelong learning and skill development, while supporting the broader national objective of achieving universal literacy and building a more inclusive and knowledge-driven society.
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