Himachal Pradesh has secured the second position in India with a literacy rate of 99.55% under the ULLAS initiative. The state was conferred with a prestigious national award in New Delhi to mark International Literacy Day.

  • Himachal Pradesh reached a literacy rate of 99.55%.
  • 94,930 learners and 19,232 volunteer teachers were registered via the ULLAS portal.
  • The state aims for 100% literacy by the 2026-27 academic cycle.

Himachal Pradesh has etched its name in the annals of educational excellence by achieving a staggering literacy rate of 99.55 percent. This milestone was reached through the rigorous implementation of the New India Literacy Programme (ULLAS). In recognition of this achievement, the state was felicitated with a national award on Tuesday, coinciding with the global celebration of International Literacy Day.

The honor was received by the Education Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Rohit Thakur, in the national capital, New Delhi. Minister Thakur expressed profound gratitude to the teachers, students, and government officials whose tireless efforts transformed the state's educational landscape. He emphasized that this victory belongs to the collective will of the people of Himachal.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that Himachal Pradesh's success is a testament to the power of targeted governmental intervention. By utilizing a digital portal (ULLAS) to track learners and mobilize a massive army of volunteers, the state has solved the 'last-mile' delivery problem of education in mountainous terrains. This shift from traditional schooling to a community-led literacy model is a significant strategic evolution.

"Literacy is the bridge from misery to hope; Himachal has successfully built that bridge for nearly every single citizen."

In terms of national rankings, Himachal Pradesh now stands second, trailing only slightly behind Goa, which maintains a literacy rate of 99.7 percent. It is pertinent to note that the state was previously declared fully literate on September 8, 2025, with a rate of 99.3 percent, showing a consistent upward trajectory.

The ULLAS initiative, launched nationally in 2022-23 and deployed in Himachal during 2023-24, successfully penetrated all 12 districts of the state. The scale of the operation is evident from the numbers: 94,930 learners were identified and registered, supported by a trained workforce of 19,232 volunteer teachers.

Looking ahead, Minister Thakur stated that the state's focus will now shift toward sustaining these gains. The roadmap includes promoting lifelong learning, enhancing digital literacy, and integrating vocational skills into the literacy framework to ensure that being 'literate' also translates into being 'employable'.

StateLiteracy Rate (%)Rank
Goa99.7%1
Himachal Pradesh99.55%2
Did You Know?: International Literacy Day is observed annually on September 8 to remind the global community of the importance of literacy for individuals and societies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the ULLAS program?
A: ULLAS (New India Literacy Programme) is a central initiative aimed at providing basic literacy, numeracy, and critical life skills to non-literates.

Q2: What is Himachal Pradesh's ultimate goal?
A: The state government has set a target to achieve a perfect 100% literacy rate by 2026-27.