Mizoram has officially become the first state in India to achieve full functional literacy, as announced by Chief Minister Lalduhoma on 20 May 2025 in Aizawl. The declaration was made during a ceremony at Mizoram University, attended by Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary and other dignitaries.
Building on a strong foundation (91.33% literacy in 2011), Mizoram implemented the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, a national adult education program under NEP 2020. A door-to-door survey in 2023 identified 3,026 non-literate individuals, and with the help of 292 volunteer teachers, the state raised its literacy rate to 98.20%, surpassing the Ministry of Education’s benchmark for full literacy (95%).
ULLAS focuses on five areas: foundational literacy, life skills, basic education, vocational training, and continuing education. Nationally, the program has reached over 2.37 crore learners and involved more than 40.84 lakh volunteer teachers.
Mizoram’s success follows Ladakh, which in June 2024 became the first fully literate administrative unit. Mizoram, however, is the first state to achieve this milestone.
