The Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education has set out India’s literacy strategy as the country works towards universal education. The government now defines literacy as the ability to read, write, and compute with comprehension, including critical life skills such as digital and financial literacy. A state or union territory is considered fully literate once it achieves 95% literacy.
Key facts
- Overall national literacy rate: 81.1% as of 2025
- Urban literacy: 89% (ages 7+); Rural literacy: 77.4% (ages 7+)
- Female literacy in rural areas: 70.3% (ages 7+)
- Ten states/UTs declared fully literate (2024-2026): Ladakh, Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir
- ULLAS programme target: 5 crore learners during 2022-27 with budget of Rs 1,037.90 crore
- ULLAS registered learners: 4.03 crore; volunteers: 52.20 lakh
- School enrolment: 24.72 crore students across all stages
- Higher education enrolment increased from 3.42 crore (2014-15) to 4.50 crore (2023-24)
Progress since independence
India’s literacy journey reflects significant transformation. In 1947, the national literacy rate was just 14%, with female literacy at only 8%. By 1951, literacy had risen to 18.32%, increasing to 74.04% by 2011. The 2025 Periodic Labour Force Survey shows the overall rate at 81.1%, with notable gender and rural-urban gaps persisting. Rural female literacy remains lower at 70.3% compared to rural male literacy at 84.8%.
School enrolment and completion rates
The Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE+) 2025-26 report shows improving educational participation across all levels. Gross enrolment ratios stand at 42.8% for foundational stage, 91.7% for preparatory, 89.6% for middle, and 71.7% for secondary. Dropout rates have decreased, with only 1.8% at preparatory stage, 3.6% at middle, and 7% at secondary. Retention rates are strong at 98.5% for foundational stage but decline to 51.9% at secondary level. Transition rates show 99.2% of students progress from foundational to preparatory stage, and 93.8% move from preparatory to middle stage.
ULLAS programme for adult literacy
The Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS), also known as the New India Literacy Programme, targets adults aged 15 and above who missed formal schooling. The centrally sponsored scheme provides functional literacy, numeracy, and critical life skills. It uses a hybrid learning model combining face-to-face teaching with a mobile app available in 27 languages on iOS and Android platforms. District and block-level surveyors identify learners and recruit voluntary teachers from communities, including school teachers, civil society workers, ASHA workers, and Anganwadi workers. Learners study foundational skills and take the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT) for certification. So far, 3.3 crore learners have participated in FLNAT assessments.
NIPUN Bharat for foundational skills
The National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN Bharat) launched in July 2021 focuses on children aged 3 to 8 years. It aims to ensure every child acquires foundational literacy and numeracy skills by Grade 2. The initiative works under the Samagra Shiksha umbrella scheme, which merged three earlier programmes: Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, and Teacher Education.
Complementary schemes supporting literacy
Several government initiatives work alongside ULLAS and NIPUN Bharat. Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) aims to strengthen over 14,500 exemplar schools, focusing on holistic student development and inclusive learning. PM e-VIDYA provides digital, online, and broadcast education to nearly 25 crore school children. PM POSHAN provides one hot cooked meal daily to 11.20 crore students in Classes I to VIII and pre-primary across 10.36 lakh government schools, encouraging attendance and nutrition.
Higher education expansion
Higher education enrolment has grown significantly from 3.42 crore students in 2014-15 to 4.50 crore in 2023-24. The gross enrolment ratio increased from 23.7% to 30% over this period. Annual output from higher education institutions rose from 88.28 lakh graduates in 2014-15 to over 1.09 crore in 2023-24. The National Education Policy 2020 aims to reach 50% higher education enrolment by 2035.
What this means for you
If you are an adult without formal schooling, ULLAS offers free functional literacy through mobile apps and community volunteers. Students in schools benefit from improved teacher training, nutrition schemes, and digital learning platforms. Parents will see stronger foundational skills emphasis from Class 1 onwards. Job seekers can access upskilled graduates from expanded higher education. Regional disparities in literacy, particularly affecting rural women, remain a priority area for policy attention.