MP students from Classes 9 to 12 to become literacy ambassadors under ULLAS

Students from Classes 9 to 12 in Madhya Pradesh will take on a volunteer role under the ULLAS literacy program, with each student expected to support four non-literate adults in developing basic reading, writing and numeracy skills.

The Ministry of Education said in a post on X that the initiative will also help learners prepare for the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT).

The initiative is part of ULLAS - Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, also known as the New India Literacy Programme (NILP), a centrally sponsored scheme aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The program targets adults aged 15 and above who did not have access to formal schooling. The government says the initiative is intended to help these learners become more integrated into society while enabling them to contribute to the country's development.

Beyond basic literacy, ULLAS focuses on functional skills such as reading, writing and numeracy, along with critical life skills and opportunities for continued learning.

India continues to face a substantial adult literacy gap. According to Census 2011 data cited by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), 25.76 crore people aged 15 and above were non-literate, including 9.08 crore males and 16.68 crore females.

The program is built around volunteer participation and seeks to encourage social responsibility and a sense of duty, described as 'Kartavya Bodh' by the government.

Schools serve as the primary implementation units for ULLAS. Volunteers receive training through face-to-face orientations and workshops, while learning materials and other resources are made available digitally to registered volunteers.

The initiative aims to use student participation and community volunteering to expand access to foundational literacy among adults who missed formal education.