Himachal declared ‘fully literate state’, achieves 99.30% literacy

International Literacy Day (ILD) 2025 (8 th September) in New Delhi was celebrated by the Ministry of Education with a theme of Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era. The event underscored the Indian advancement in the move toward increasing literacy beyond reading and writing to digital, civic, financial and legal literacy. Himachal Pradesh became the 5th State/UT to become fully literate following Tripura, Mizoram, Goa and Ladakh. As a transformative literacy movement, the ULLAS Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram that has 3 crore learners and 42 lakh volunteers was presented. The celebration renewed the aim of universal literacy and its contribution in developing a self-reliant and developed Bharat.

Key Points in Detail

Background and Context

• Proclaimed on the occasion of International Literacy Day, 2025 (8th September).

• Venue: Shimla, Puran Sakshar Himachal Samaroh and Ullaas Mela-2025.

• The literacy rate in Himachal: 99.30 and one of the highest in India.

• Already fully literate states/UTs added to the list: Tripura, Mizoram, Goa and Ladakh.

Education Achievements

• Himachal has the highest student-teacher ratio in the country which guarantees improved results in learning.

• Effective network of community based literacy programmes and schools.

• The success of literacy was associated with ULLAS Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram and state-based programs.

Goals of ILD 2025 Celebration.

• Emphasize the importance of digital technology in facilitating literacy and life-long learning.

• Encourage shared responsibility among government, communities and volunteers.

• Introduce demonstrations of multilingual literacy in 26 Indian languages.

• In addition to reading and writing, empowerment, self-reliance and dignity with regard to stress literacy.

Activities and Implementation.

• Venue: Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.

• Highlight programmes: ULLAS Compendium release, literacy week drive (1 0 8 Sept 2025).

• Practical experience in Ladakh and Goa on how to reach complete literacy.

• Participation of neo-learners, state education departments, teachers, and volunteers in blended online-offline learning.

Significance

• Literacy reconstructed to include digital, financial, civic and legal awareness.

• Empowered Jan Andolan (people movement) of education.

• Awareness of community based efforts in hard to reach areas.

• Showed how the Indian digital civil infrastructure boosted learning and assimilation.

Conclusion

The International Literacy Day 2025 was a big milestone towards a 100 percent literate Bharat that combines the old form of literacy with the new to enable empowerment. Through a concerted effort by the government and the involvement of volunteers and digital technologies, India demonstrated how literacy can transform into a holistic and inclusive process and become future-ready. In the case of UPSC, it is a powerful case study of the connection between education, digital governance, and community involvement to develop a country.