Tripura declared fully functionally literate, joins Mizoram and Goa

Tripura has officially been declared the third Indian state to attain full functional literacy, a landmark achievement announced at a state-level function in Agartala under the centrally sponsored ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram.

The program, which runs from 2022 to 2027, focuses on youth and adults aged 15 and above who missed out on formal education.

The declaration ceremony was attended by Tripura Chief Minister Professor (Dr) Manik Saha, along with senior Education Ministry officials.

“Heartiest congratulations to the people of Tripura on this achievement,” the Chief Minister said, calling it a “historic milestone.”

He attributed the success to the effective implementation of ULLAS, which is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Tripura’s literacy rate now stands at 95.6%, a remarkable rise from just 20.24% in 1961. The achievement was made possible through a combination of grassroots outreach and technology-driven education.

Volunteer teachers, newly literate learners, and community workers played key roles in reaching underserved populations across the state.

Efforts included door-to-door surveys, community mobilization, and extensive use of digital tools such as the ULLAS mobile app, which helped deliver educational content even in remote areas.

These efforts enabled learners to gain reading and writing skills, perform basic arithmetic, and apply digital, financial, and life skills such as health and environmental awareness.

Under the ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) initiative, also known as the New India Literacy Programme (NILP), the Ministry of Education defines functional literacy as more than just signing one’s name.

Individuals are considered functionally literate after passing the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT), which is conducted twice a year or on demand at local schools.

Successful candidates receive certificates jointly issued by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and the Department of School Education & Literacy.

A state or union territory is recognized as fully functionally literate once it reaches at least 95% literacy among its adult population aged 15 and above who lacked access to formal education.

Tripura joins Mizoram and Goa as the top three fully functionally literate states. Mizoram was the first to reach the milestone with a literacy rate of 98.2% (PLFS 2023–24), followed by Goa in May 2025 with 99.72%.

Among Union Territories, Ladakh was the first to achieve this status, reporting a literacy rate above 97%.