On May 20, 2025, Mizoram officially celebrated becoming India’s first literate state. Starting with a solid base of 91.33% for literacy in 2011, the state went on to reach 98.20% in its latest survey. Thanks to the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (New India Literacy Programme), most of the remaining illiterate population was enrolled in this programme through door-to-door surveys and volunteer teaching. Mizo people showed their strong support for education by including representatives from the government, volunteers, and schools in the effort. Mizoram’s successful schooling for the disabled has greatly boosted the effort toward inclusive learning and fostered literacy.

Context

• Mizoram has achieved 100% literacy because of focused government programmes and community efforts. 

• This success shows that the ULLAS literacy effort has been effective with the guidance of the National Education Policy 2020.

Key Points

How did Mizoram Achieved 100% Literacy?

• Strong Foundation: Mizoram already had a high literacy rate of 91.33% as per the 2011 Census, providing a strong base.

• ULLAS means UL Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (New India Literacy Programme).

  • From 2022 through 2027, the plan will focus on adult literacy over 15 years, including Foundational Literacy, Life Skills, Basic Education, Vocational Skills and Continuing Education.

  • Working door to door, we identified persons in Mizoram who were not literate: 3,026 in number.

• Community Volunteerism:

  • Over 292 volunteers took part by instructing and motivating students.

  • Because of the strong cultural value of Kartavya Bodh, a lot of people chose to volunteer.

• Government Support and Collaboration

• Working together closely between state education departments, community leaders, and schools.

• Using the mobile app for ULLAS, volunteers and learners could be easily spotted.

Importance of  Mizoram’s Success

• Being Fully Literate First: Mizoram is leading the nation by achieving full functional literacy.

• Education Equals Independence: Learning to read and write improves the chance for a job, informed involvement in society and healthy living.

• Contributes to National Aims: Supports both the National Education Policy 2020 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4) aiming for quality education.

• Promotes Stronger Society: Learning skills and abilities through literacy brings about social unity, gender balance, and helps stop poverty and discrimination.

Impact of Full Literacy in Mizoram

• Economic Development: High literacy gives people better chances at work, encourages new businesses, and supports the state’s economy.

• Quality of Life: By learning to read, a person gains access to good treatment, proper nutrition and public resources.

• Political and Social Life: Being involved in politics and society informs people about their duties and makes them more likely to vote.

• Inspiration for other states: Because it has been so successful, Mizoram’s methods can be imitated by other states and union territories.

• Long-term benefits: Supporting lifelong learning promotes education that results in improved achievements for children and teenagers going forward.

Literacy in India

What is Literacy?

• Being literate means you can read and write in short in any language and understand what it says, according to the United Nations Population Commission.

• If someone is aged seven or greater and can read and write in any language without difficulty, they are reported as literate by the Census in India.

• Having a formal education is not needed to be recognized as literate.

Literacy in India Date according to Census 2011

Across all states, male literacy rates exceed female literacy rates, highlighting persistent gender disparity.

Reasons for illiteracy in India

• Certain economic and social issues that include inequality, gender bias, casteism and technological problems.

• A high number of people living in poverty restricts many from getting an education.

• When children work and receive inadequate education at primary school, their chances of going on to higher education are very slim.

• Political commitment that does not last limits successful literacy drives.

Government Steps Taken to Improve Literacy

Constitutional Provisions:

• Minorities are granted by Article 30 the authority to establish and operate educational establishments.

• It is required by Directive Principles that every child be offered free and compulsory education (Articles 41, 45, 46).

Major Schemes and Acts of Literacy in India

• Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) was launched in 2001 to provide universal elementary education through specialized local planning.

• Since 1995, there has been a Midday Meal Program to improve students’ nutrition and increase their attendance at school.

• Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, which guarantees children between the ages of 6 and 14 the right to education.

• National Education Policy 2020 intends to reach 100% literacy by offering everyone, young and old, inclusive and quality education.

Conclusion:

The state of Mizoram becoming fully literate is an example of what can be done with strong government support and community efforts, alongside new literacy initiatives such as ULLAS. Because of this, other states will try to achieve universal literacy, supported by the National Education Policy 2020.

According to scientists from the International Potato Center in Peru, India is on track to be the world’s number one potato producer by 2050, replacing China. The projection was presented at a meeting dedicated to research on root and tuber crops in India and South Asia. The country is expected to increase its potato output from 60 million tonnes to 100 million tonnes by the year 2050. Improvements are the result of 50 years of collaboration between CIP and India, thanks to new technologies and larger farming. There is also an opportunity in the country for other root crops such as sweet potatoes, which can help increase both rural employment and nutrition.

Context

• International Potato Center in Peru, India, will be the world’s number one potato producer by 2050, replacing China. 

• The projection was presented at a meeting dedicated to research on root and tuber crops in India and South Asia.

Key Points

Production Outlook:

• More than 60 million tonnes are produced worldwide every year.

• The estimated output by 2050 is about 100 million tonnes.

Key Partners:

• The International Potato Center (CIP) has worked together for 50 years.

• ICAR and the state agriculture departments

Climatic Conditions of Potato

• Ideal temperature:13–18°C during the day, 18–29°C during the night.

• Best soil: Loamy, sandy loam with a pH range of 5.2 to 6.4

• Need at least 6 hours of sunlight a day

• Sensitive to temperatures above 30°C.

Top Potato Producing States in India

Cultivation Seasons:

• Potato is mainly a Rabi crop.

• Limited Kharif cultivation, in some states, such as Uttarakhand and Karnataka.

Economic and Social Benefit:

• It supports job options for farmers, helps rural regions grow, and boosts women’s empowerment

• This system helps ensure food, nutrition, and climate safety.

• Provides new opportunities for private companies and cooperatives in making and moving food.

Government Support and Initiatives

• Using more funds to advance agricultural science and technologies

• Special attention is given to shared studies on potatoes and sweet potatoes.

Conclusion:

Because of advances in farming, strong collaborations, and a helpful climate, India is heading toward becoming the biggest potato producer in the world by 2050. The progress will improve India’s farming industry, boost employment chances in rural areas, help secure food, and support efforts to adjust to climate change, all in line with the country’s broader objectives.

Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Pralhad Joshi, introduced three digital services – Depot Darpan Portal, Anna Mitra mobile app, and Anna Sahayata grievance platform – to boost India’s Public Distribution System (PDS). They plan to increase transparency, efficiency in operations, and power for beneficiaries among the over 81 crore individuals served by PDS. Depot Darpan helps farmers monitor food grain depots through technology, while Anna Mitra handles daily field operations, and Anna Sahayata looks after grievance settlement. These launches are an important phase toward achieving digital governance in line with the National Food Security Act.

Context

• Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi introduced three digital initiatives called the Depot Darpan Portal, Anna Mitra mobile app, and Anna Sahayata grievance platform, all to help upgrade India’s PDS.

• These schemes were launched by the government to improve how the Public Distribution System works and ensure everything remains clear and efficient. 

Key Points 

Depot Darpan Portal

• The tool is meant for food depots under the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC).

• Employs IoT sensors, uses CCTV to observe, and examines current information for better control and safety of the environment.

• Awards Composite Ratings that depend on infrastructure and operations to help companies work towards improvement at all times.

• Efficient operations and better space use are expected to help FCI save ₹275 crore and CWC save ₹140 crore.

• It is planned to spend a total of ₹280 crore on the CWC for its infrastructure, and a further ₹1000 crore will be spent on the FCI.

Anna Mitra Mobile App

• Allows FPS dealers, DFSO staff, and food inspectors to access data on their daily activities as they happen.

• You can watch stock receipts, generate sales reports, follow up on grievances, check geo-tagged inspections, and view FPS ratings.

• At present, users in Assam, Uttarakhand, Tripura, and Punjab can experience the service in both Hindi and English.

Anna Sahayata Grievance Platform.

• The scheme launched to help 81 crore recipients of PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) has an improved method for handling grievances.

• You can use WhatsApp, IVRS, or ASR to complain easily and have your issue resolved quickly.

• The pilot covers Gujarat, Jharkhand, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh and is accessible in five languages.

The government’s aim

• The government supports welfare programs until they reach everyone who needs them.

• Enhances transparency, accountability, and efficiency in food security and welfare delivery.

• Facilitates the One Nation One Ration Card system to give beneficiaries easier access to food grains.

• Follows the Digital India mission by bringing technology to government work.

Conclusion:

With the introduction of Depot Darpan, Anna Mitra and Anna Sahayata, we are moving closer to achieving a Public Distribution System where everything happens online and with better visibility. With the help of new technology and data-based systems, the proposals try to boost food availability and send welfare assistance to those in need most clearly and honestly.

Well-known Indian astrophysicist and science communicator Jayant Narlikar died at 86 in Pune. Together with Fred Hoyle, he rose to international fame for advancing the “steady state” theory as an alternative to the Big Bang model. Narlikar did important scientific work and was also passionate about communicating science to the public, to reduce superstitions and increase understanding of science. While he led IUCAA Pune, Dr. Subrahmanyan led the training of many major Indian astrophysicists.

Context

• Indian astrophysicist and science communicator Jayant Narlikar passed away at 86 in Pune. 

• Together with Fred Hoyle, he rose to international fame for advancing the “steady state” theory as an alternative to the Big Bang model.

• He is best known for doubting the Big Bang theory and making IUCAA a recognized place for research worldwide.

Key Points

Scientific Contributions:

• Together with Fred Hoyle, co-developed a theory that the universe is always in a steady state, with matter being continuously formed.

• Never abandoned his criticism of the Big Bang theory and continued to develop his thoughts during his life.

Institutional Leadership:

• Founder-Director of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics(IUCAA), Pune.

• Worked together with scientists like Thanu Padmanabhan and Sanjeev Dhurandhar.

Science Popularisation:

• Did a lot to lessen people’s belief in superstition and encourage the acceptance of scientific ideas in India.

• Sparked interest in many people with his TV shows, ideas written down and lecture events.

Awards and Honours

• Jayant Narlikar received Padma Bhushan in 1965 and Padma Vibhushan in 2004.

• In 1996, UNESCO awarded the Kalinga Prize for publishing work aimed at popularising science.

• In 2004, he was honoured with the Prix Jules Janssen from the French Astronomical Society.

Literary Works:

• Authored science-fiction stories and an acclaimed autobiography, awarded by the Sahitya Akademi.

• Explored themes of technology, morality, and alien encounters with clarity and philosophical depth.

Early Life and Education

• Son of Professor Vishnu Vasudev Narlikar (a mathematician) and Sumati Narlikar (a Sanskrit scholar), born in 1938.

• Received Ph.D. from the Fred Hoyle Center at the University of Cambridge.

Conclusion:

No one with the educational background of children to explain the most advanced ideas better than Jayant Narlikar, whose passing has left a big hole. His name is remembered for his theories, importance in establishing institutions, and constant promotion of scientific curiosity and rational thinking.