Gangtok, 27 May 2026: In a landmark achievement, Sikkim was officially declared a Fully Literate State with a literacy rate of 99.82%, surpassing the Union Education Ministry’s benchmark of 95%. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) during the 7th Convocation of Sikkim University at Manan Kendra, Gangtok, in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu and Governor Om Prakash Mathur.
The declaration comes under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, a national literacy initiative launched in 2022 to ensure foundational literacy and lifelong learning for adults aged 15 and above.
📌 Other Fully Literate States/UTs in India
| State/UT | Year Declared | Literacy Rate | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mizoram | May 2025 | 98.2% | First fully literate state; strong community involvement and women’s education focus. |
| Goa | 2025 | 96% | Efficient administration, inclusive policies, and high investment in education. |
| Tripura | 2025 | 95.6% | Success through ULLAS, cyber literacy campaigns, and tribal outreach. |
| Himachal Pradesh | 8 Sep 2025 | 99.3% | Journey from 7% literacy post-independence to near-universal literacy. |
| Ladakh (UT) | 24 Jun 2024 | 97% | First Union Territory to achieve full functional literacy. |
| Sikkim | 27 May 2026 | 99.82% | Sixth region to achieve full literacy; inclusive development across remote areas. |
🌟 Significance of Sikkim’s Achievement
- Marks Sikkim as both India’s first fully organic state (2016) and now a fully literate state (2026).
- Reflects inclusive growth, with literacy reaching even remote villages and elderly citizens.
- President Murmu highlighted that women formed 60% of graduates and 70% of medallists at Sikkim University, underlining gender empowerment.
