Lakshadweep declared 100 per cent literate under ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram

Lakshadweep has been declared a 100 per cent literate Union Territory under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram. Administrator Praful Patel made the announcement on October 11, 2026, confirming that all eligible learners in the islands successfully cleared the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT).

This declaration marks Lakshadweep as the fifth Union Territory to achieve full literacy status under the ULLAS programme, a centrally sponsored initiative by the Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Education extended its congratulations to Lakshadweep via a social media post on X.

Implementation of ULLAS in Lakshadweep

The journey to full literacy in Lakshadweep began with an initial survey conducted by the Department of Education, which identified 1,113 adult non-literates across the islands. Following this identification, intensive teaching and assessment drives were undertaken to equip these learners with foundational literacy and numeracy skills. Teachers and supervisors conducted doorstep and home-based assessments for individuals who were unable to attend designated examination centres, ensuring complete coverage. Follow-up assessments and re-testing were also organised to ensure all eligible learners completed the evaluation process.

The Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT) specifically assesses learners’ reading, writing, and numeracy skills, aligning with the Ministry of Education’s definition of literacy as ‘the ability to read, write, and compute with comprehension, i.e., to identify, understand, interpret and create, along with critical life skills such as digital literacy, financial literacy, etc.’

The ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram

The ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, also known as the New India Literacy Programme (NILP), is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education. Its primary focus is on empowering adults aged 15 years and above who missed formal schooling, providing them with functional literacy, numeracy, critical life skills, and lifelong learning opportunities. The scheme is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes universal foundational literacy and numeracy and adult education.

The implementation period for ULLAS spans from 2022–23 to 2026–27, with an outlay of ₹1,037.90 crore. Under the ULLAS framework, achieving 95 per cent literacy in a state or Union Territory is considered equivalent to full literacy. The programme encompasses five key components: Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Critical Life Skills, Basic Education, Vocational Skills, and Continuing Education.

Union Territories Achieving Full Literacy Under ULLAS

Lakshadweep’s declaration on October 11, 2026, adds it to a growing list of Union Territories and states that have achieved full literacy under the ULLAS programme. This initiative aims to achieve 100% literacy among non-literate individuals aged 15 years and above, promoting social integration and encouraging contribution to national development. The Right to Education Act, 2009, provides the statutory framework for implementing the right to elementary education, while ULLAS addresses adult literacy.

The following table details the states and UTs that have achieved full literacy under ULLAS:

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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