Context & Milestone
- Mizoram has become India’s first fully literate state under the ULLAS (Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram).
- Achieved 98.2% literacy for population aged 7+ (PLFS 2023–24); surpasses Kerala (96.2%).
Relevance : GS 2(Education, Governance)
What is ULLAS?
- Union Government’s flagship adult literacy mission launched in 2022.
- Targets non-literate people aged 15+ with a 5-year timeline.
- Aims at foundational literacy, numeracy, and digital & financial literacy.
Key Drivers of Mizoram’s Success
- Community-driven efforts and strong volunteer participation.
- Adult learners (like 94-year-old Latinkimi) attend classes before/after farming.
- Localised teaching materials developed historically by missionaries (Mizo language primers, textbooks).
Historical Literacy Trends
- 1991: Kerala declared ‘totally literate’ with 90% adult literacy (NLM norms).
- 2011 Census: Kerala – 93.91%, Mizoram – 91.58%.
- PLFS 2023–24: Mizoram – 98.2% (7+ years), Kerala – 96.2%.
Why It Matters
- Sets a national benchmark in grassroots adult literacy.
- Aligns with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and India’s broader Digital and Inclusive Education goals.
- Emphasises lifelong learning, not just school-based literacy.
Historical & Comparative Data
| Indicator | Value |
| India’s adult illiterate (15+) | ~15 crore (MoE, 2022) |
| National Literacy Rate | ~77.7% (PLFS 2022–23) |
| 1991 Kerala Adult Literacy | 90% (declared ‘total literacy’ by NLM norms) |
| 2011 Census | Mizoram: 91.58% |
India’s Literacy Rates – Census 2011
| Category | Literacy Rate (%) |
| Overall (National Average) | 74.04% |
| Male | 82.14% |
| Female | 65.46% |
| Urban Areas | 84.11% |
| Rural Areas | 67.77% |
