Himachal Pradesh has become the fifth region in India to be declared fully literate, joining the ranks of Tripura, Mizoram, Goa, and the Union Territory of Ladakh. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan made the announcement during a virtual address on International Literacy Day, describing the milestone as evidence of what collective efforts by government, society, and volunteers can achieve.
In his remarks, the minister reaffirmed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of education as the foundation of a strong civilisation. He called upon citizens to renew their commitment to building a literate, self-reliant, and developed India. The theme of this year’s International Literacy Day, “Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era,” underscored the role of technology in advancing literacy, numeracy, and lifelong learning skills across the country.
With this achievement, Himachal Pradesh has become the fourth state to reach full functional literacy. Ladakh, declared fully literate in June 2024, holds the distinction of being the first Union Territory to reach the milestone. The announcement brings attention to the progress made across regions with difficult terrains, where communities, governments, and volunteers collaborated to overcome challenges of geography and limited access.
Highlighting the broader context, Pradhan noted that India’s literacy rate has climbed from 74 per cent in 2011 to 80.9 per cent in 2023–24. While describing this as a positive trajectory, he stressed that the real measure of success lies in making literacy a lived reality for every citizen. Literacy, he said, is not confined to the ability to read and write but extends to dignity, empowerment, and self-reliance.
Pradhan spotlighted the government’s Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, which he credited as a cornerstone of India’s literacy drive. The programme has enrolled over three crore learners and mobilised 42 lakh volunteers. So far, 1.83 crore learners have taken foundational literacy and numeracy assessments, with an impressive 90 per cent success rate. Learning materials are now offered in 26 Indian languages, making the initiative inclusive and accessible to diverse populations.
The minister also urged youth and students to contribute actively to the literacy mission, suggesting that such voluntary contributions could be integrated with academic credits. By involving young people directly, the programme hopes to sustain momentum and deepen engagement at the community level.
Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary also addressed the gathering, expressing satisfaction that Himachal Pradesh had joined Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, and Ladakh in reaching full literacy. He observed that the achievement was especially significant for states with challenging terrain, where communities often face limited access to schools, teachers, and resources. Chaudhary credited the determination of local communities and the commitment of volunteers, supported by government measures, for making the milestone possible.
He further noted that India’s definition of literacy has expanded in recent years to include digital literacy. Pointing to India’s growing global profile, he said the country had set an example for the world, particularly for the Global South, by creating a strong digital public infrastructure. This, he argued, had accelerated educational access and inclusion at a pace that once seemed impossible. Achievements that might have taken half a century were accomplished in just over a decade, thanks to digital innovations and reforms.
The combined messages from the two ministers placed India’s literacy achievement in both a national and global frame. For Himachal Pradesh, the declaration marks not just a state-level milestone but also a contribution to the larger national goal of universal literacy.
As celebrations marked International Literacy Day, the announcement was framed as both a recognition of progress and a reminder of work still ahead. The government emphasized that literacy is not an end in itself but a foundation for lifelong learning and empowerment, with technology now at the center of this journey.
