ULLAS Programme

ULLAS Programme for Transforming Adult Education and Advancing Literacy Goals

The Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) programme stands as India’s flagship initiative for adult education and literacy advancement, fundamentally transforming the nation’s approach to lifelong learning. Launched in 2022 under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, this centrally sponsored scheme represents a comprehensive strategy to address India’s literacy challenges while empowering citizens with 21st-century skills.

Programme Overview and Vision

ULLAS, officially known as the New India Literacy Programme (Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram), embodies the vision of “Jan Jan Saakshar” – ensuring literacy for every citizen. The programme is grounded in the principle of “Kartavyabodh,” emphasizing collective duty and social responsibility through volunteerism. This initiative targets non-literate adults aged 15 years and above who have missed formal schooling opportunities, aiming to integrate them meaningfully into society.

The programme represents a paradigm shift from traditional adult education models, redefining literacy beyond basic reading and writing to encompass computational, digital, and financial literacy. This holistic approach aligns with India’s commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4.6, which calls for ensuring that all youth and adults achieve literacy and numeracy by 2030.

Key Components and Objectives of ULLAS programme

ULLAS encompasses five comprehensive components designed to address diverse learning needs:

Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) forms the core component, focusing on basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills essential for daily life. The programme targets 5 crore learners during the implementation period of 2022-2027, with an ambitious goal of certifying 1 crore learners annually.

Critical Life Skills constitute the second component, incorporating financial literacy, digital literacy, commercial skills, healthcare awareness, childcare, family welfare, and legal literacy. This component ensures that learners acquire practical knowledge necessary for navigating modern society effectively.

Basic Education provides equivalency programs covering preparatory level (Class III-V), middle level (Class VI-VIII), and secondary level (Class IX-XII) education. This component bridges the educational gap for adults who could not complete formal schooling.

Vocational Skills Development focuses on employment generation, re-skilling, and upskilling opportunities to enhance livelihood prospects. The programme collaborates with various central and state ministries to provide relevant vocational training aligned with local employment opportunities.

Continuing Education offers advanced learning opportunities in arts, sciences, technology, culture, sports, and recreation, promoting lifelong learning beyond basic education.

Implementation Mechanism and Digital Infrastructure

The ULLAS programme operates through an innovative hybrid model combining online and offline learning approaches. The implementation relies heavily on volunteerism, encouraging participation from school teachers, college students, teacher trainees, NSS, NCC volunteers, and community members.

The programme’s digital infrastructure centers around the ULLAS mobile application and web portal, which serve as primary gateways for learner registration and content access. The app connects learners with educational resources through the DIKSHA portal of NCERT, providing multilingual content in 22 Indian languages. This technological integration ensures accessibility across diverse linguistic and geographical contexts while maintaining cultural relevance.

Educational content is delivered through multiple channels including television, radio, and mobile applications, ensuring reach even in remote areas with limited internet connectivity. The programme emphasizes offline accessibility while leveraging digital platforms for enhanced learning experiences.

Assessment and Certification Framework

The Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT) serves as the primary evaluation mechanism under ULLAS. Conducted twice annually in regional languages, FLNAT comprises three subjects – reading, writing, and numeracy – each carrying 50 marks for a total of 150 marks. This assessment aligns with NEP 2020’s emphasis on multilingualism and mother tongue instruction.

The test is administered at District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) and government/aided schools across participating states and union territories. Qualifying learners receive certificates from the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), providing formal recognition of their foundational skills.

The assessment process demonstrates remarkable success, with over 1.83 crore learners assessed and a 90% pass rate achieved across the programme. This high success rate reflects both the effectiveness of the teaching methodology and the commitment of learners and volunteers.

Financial Framework and Resource Allocation

ULLAS operates with a total financial outlay of ₹1,037.90 crore over the five-year implementation period (2022-2027). The funding structure comprises ₹700 crore as the central government’s share and ₹337.90 crore as the state government’s contribution, demonstrating the collaborative federal approach to literacy enhancement.

This investment represents a significant commitment to adult education, with resources allocated across various components including content development, technology infrastructure, volunteer training, assessment mechanisms, and administrative support. The financial framework ensures sustainable implementation while encouraging state-level ownership and participation.

Remarkable Achievements and Success Stories

Since its launch, ULLAS has achieved unprecedented success in literacy advancement across India. The programme has enrolled over 3 crore learners and mobilized more than 42 lakh volunteer teachers, demonstrating massive community engagement. Over 2.8 crore learners have been reached through the initiative, with support from 45 lakh volunteers nationwide.

The programme’s impact is most visible in literacy rate improvements. Rural literacy has surged from 67.7% in 2011 to 77.5% in 2023-24, while female literacy has increased from 65.4% to 74.6% during the same period. The national literacy rate has risen from 74% in 2011 to 80.9% in 2023-24, representing substantial progress toward universal literacy.

States and Union Territories Achieving Full Literacy

Several states and union territories have achieved the remarkable milestone of full functional literacy under ULLAS. Ladakh became the first union territory to declare full literacy on June 25, 2024, after surpassing the 97% literacy threshold. This achievement marked a significant milestone in the programme’s implementation.

Mizoram emerged as India’s first fully literate state in May 2025, achieving a 98.2% literacy rate. The state’s success resulted from extensive community engagement, government reforms, effective adult literacy programme implementation, and particular focus on women’s education.

Goa followed as the second fully literate state with a remarkable 99.72% literacy rate, declared in May 2025. The state’s achievement was facilitated by its small size, efficient administration, consistent educational investment, and inclusive policies covering all social segments.

Tripura became the third fully literate state, achieving a 95.6% literacy rate. This northeastern state’s transformation from less than 21% literacy in 1961 to full literacy demonstrates the programme’s transformative potential, especially in tribal and rural areas.

Himachal Pradesh has also been recognized among the states declaring full literacy, further validating the programme’s effectiveness across diverse geographical and socio-economic contexts.

Technology Integration and Innovation

The ULLAS programme leverages cutting-edge technology to enhance learning accessibility and effectiveness. The ULLAS mobile application, launched during the Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam 2023, serves as a comprehensive digital gateway connecting learners with diverse educational resources.

The integration with the DIKSHA portal ensures access to high-quality, curriculum-aligned content developed by NCERT and state educational bodies. This platform supports multiple content formats including videos, PDFs, HTML, ePub, H5P, and interactive quizzes, catering to diverse learning preferences.

The programme’s technological infrastructure includes QR code integration, allowing learners to access relevant content by scanning codes in educational materials. This seamless integration between physical and digital learning resources enhances the overall educational experience while maintaining user-friendly accessibility.

Volunteer Training and Capacity Building

The success of ULLAS heavily depends on comprehensive volunteer training and capacity building initiatives. The programme organizes regular workshops and training sessions for volunteer teachers, covering pedagogical processes, foundational literacy strategies, and numeracy instruction methods.

Training programmes emphasize practical teaching methodologies, including formal and informal writing strategies, reading comprehension techniques, and mathematical concept delivery. These capacity-building efforts ensure that volunteers are well-equipped to deliver effective instruction despite varying educational backgrounds.

The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) has directed Teacher Education Institutions to connect 8-10 students with ULLAS initiatives, offering academic credits for community engagement. This integration with formal education institutions ensures a steady supply of trained volunteers while providing valuable learning experiences for teacher trainees.

Community Engagement and Social Impact

ULLAS has transformed traditional approaches to community engagement in education. The programme has successfully converted schools into evening Samajik Chetna Kendras (Social Awareness Centers), creating community learning hubs that extend educational opportunities beyond regular school hours.

The volunteer-driven model has fostered unprecedented community participation, with citizens from diverse backgrounds contributing to literacy enhancement efforts. This grassroots approach has created a sense of collective ownership and responsibility for educational advancement within communities.

The programme’s social impact extends beyond individual literacy achievement to encompass community empowerment, social cohesion, and collective capability building. Learners who complete the programme often become advocates for education within their communities, creating multiplier effects that extend the programme’s reach and impact.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite remarkable achievements, ULLAS faces several implementation challenges requiring ongoing attention and innovation. Geographical diversity, linguistic variations, and socio-economic disparities across India necessitate adaptive strategies that address local contexts while maintaining programme coherence.

The programme must continue evolving to address emerging literacy needs in the digital era, incorporating advanced digital skills, information literacy, and critical thinking capabilities. Integration with employment and livelihood programmes remains crucial for ensuring that literacy gains translate into improved economic opportunities for learners.

Sustaining volunteer engagement and ensuring consistent quality across diverse implementation contexts requires ongoing capacity building and support systems. The programme must also address the needs of specific populations, including elderly learners, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities requiring specialized approaches.

ULLAS represents a transformative approach to adult education and literacy advancement in India, demonstrating the power of community-driven initiatives supported by comprehensive policy frameworks and technological innovation. Through its holistic approach, innovative implementation mechanisms, and remarkable achievements, the programme has established itself as a model for lifelong learning initiatives globally while contributing significantly to India’s educational and social development goals.

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