23-06-2025
Tripura becomes 3rd fully literate state
Agartala: Tripura has become the third state to become 'fully literate' after Goa and Mizoram, achieving a literacy rate of 95.6%.
Announcing the milestone during a ceremony on Monday, chief minister Manik Saha — who also holds the education portfolio — hailed the achievement as a new benchmark in India's pursuit of universal education.
Earlier literacy programmes focused mainly based on basic signature skills, but the new approach goes beyond that to functional literacy. The goal was not just to teach basic reading and writing, but also to equip people with practical skills in financial literacy, digital transactions, arithmetic, and more — through well-planned initiatives, he said.
According to the report of Periodic Labour Force Survey 2023-24, Tripura's literacy rate stood at 93.7%.
However, it crossed the 95% mark due to the success of the 'ULLAS' campaign.
As per central govt criteria, states or Union Territories that surpass 95% literacy qualify as fully literate. Tripura implemented the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (New India Literacy Programme) to identify and educate non-literate individuals. The programme focused on five components: foundational literacy and numeracy, critical life skills, basic education, vocational skills, and continuing education.
Tripura has achieved all the components and has been recognised for its distinguished status.
"Launched in 2022 in alignment with the National Education Policy 2020, ULLAS aims to make every adult in India literate by 2027. Tripura has been at the forefront of this mission with well-coordinated and dedicated efforts," Saha added.
Director of secondary education NC Sharma said several committees were formed earlier at state, district, and block levels to implement the programme.
Educational materials were prepared in Bengali, English, and Kokborok, and specially trained teachers and students were engaged as volunteers.
Through the tireless efforts of 2,228 volunteer teachers, 943 social awareness centres, and active participation from the Youth Literacy Corps, literacy has reached even the remotest corners of Tripura. "The experience has been incredible — some taught in courtyards, others in local markets. The journey to this milestone wasn't easy," Sharma said.
In 1961, the state's literacy rate was just 20.24%. Overcoming numerous challenges, it steadily rose to 87.22% in the 2011 Census, ranking Tripura as the third most literate state after Kerala and Mizoram.
