Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Shri Jayant Chaudhary addressed International Literacy Day (ILD) 2025 celebration organised by Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi today.
The programme was also attended by Shri Kishor Barman, Minister of Education, Tripura, Dr. Vanlalthlana, Minister of Education, Mizoram, and Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, DoSEL, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Education, NCERT, CBSE, KVS, NVS, NCTE, NIOS, State/UT Education Departments, Volunteer Teachers, Learners, Neo-Literates, and other stakeholders.
The theme for this year’s celebration was “Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era”, highlighting the pivotal role of digital technology in enabling reading, writing, numeracy, and lifelong learning skills across the country.
Himachal Pradesh has become the fourth state to achieve full functional literacy, joining Tripura, Mizoram, and Goa in this significant milestone. On June 24, 2024, Ladakh was declared the first Union Territory to be fully literate.
On this occasion Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, delivered a virtual address highlighting India’s progress and vision for universal literacy. Shri Pradhan underscored that literacy goes beyond reading and writing.
It is a means to dignity, empowerment and self-reliance. He noted that India’s literacy rate has risen from 74 percent in 2011 to 80.9 percent in 2023–24, but emphasised that true progress will be achieved only when literacy becomes a lived reality for every citizen.
He spoke about the transformative role of ULLAS Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, which has enrolled over 3 crore learners and 42 lakh volunteers. Nearly 1.83 crore learners have already taken foundational literacy and numeracy assessments, with 90 percent success.
The programme now offers learning material in 26 Indian languages, making literacy truly inclusive. Congratulating Ladakh, Mizoram, Goa, Tripura and Himachal Pradesh on achieving full literacy, the Minister said these achievements reaffirm the power of collective effort by government, society and volunteers.
He urged youth and students to contribute to the literacy mission, suggesting such efforts be integrated with academic credits. Shri Pradhan reiterated Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of education as the foundation of civilisation and called for renewed commitment to building a literate, self-reliant and developed India.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Jayant Chaudhary expressed delight that Himachal Pradesh has joined Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, and Ladakh in declaring itself fully literate. He noted that it was especially significant that states with difficult terrains were among the first to achieve this milestone.
Despite challenges of limited access to schools, teachers, and resources, communities organised themselves, volunteers stepped forward, and governments extended support. The Minister remarked that this collective achievement shows how determination can overcome geography and deserves recognition and applause.
He further observed that the concept of literacy in India has expanded to include digital literacy. He highlighted that India has set an example for the world, particularly the Global South, by creating robust Digital Public Infrastructure that has accelerated education and inclusion.
Achievements that might have taken fifty years have been realised in just a decade through India’s digital innovations. Paying tribute to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the Minister recalled how Ambedkar has risen above the challenges of his background to become one of the strongest advocates for education.
He reiterated Ambedkar’s belief that the cycle of ignorance must be broken through literacy, and that free and equitable access to education is essential.
The Minister outlined three key priorities for the future:
To sustain the spirit of volunteerism, as literacy spreads fastest when citizens take responsibility for one another’s learning
To integrate literacy with skills and livelihoods, ensuring that individuals experience immediate and tangible benefits
To continually broaden the definition of literacy, encompassing digital tools, financial literacy, and awareness of citizens' rights and responsibilities
Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, noted India’s rise in literacy from 12% post-independence to over 80% today, urging further improvement by the next census through ULLAS.
He emphasized that all literate citizens should teach non-literate individuals and highlighted the large number of learners and volunteer teachers registered under ULLAS. He also spoke on the importance of the blended modeof ULLAS, combining offline and online learning, and called on students to join this Jan Andolan.
He urged collective action to ensure that, within five years, every non-literate aged 15 and above is literate by new standards including digital, legal, and financial literacy. During the occasion, the ULLAS Compendium was released, showcasing a diverse collection of teaching and learning materials that celebrate India’s rich linguistic, cultural, and social heritage.
Representatives from Ladakh and Goa shared their experiences and best practices in achieving full literacy, providing valuable insights and strategies during the experience-sharing session.
To mark the occasion, the Government of India organised ULLAS Literacy Week 2025 from 1st to 8th September 2025, conducting a nationwide literacy drive to register non-literates, volunteers, and neo-learners across States and UTs.
The celebration of International Literacy Day 2025 reaffirmed India’s resolve to achieve the vision of a fully literate Bharat and contribute towards the overarching goal of a Viksit Bharat.