Literacy – Jammu and Kashmir Earns Full Literacy Status Under National ULLAS Mission
Literacy – Jammu and Kashmir has reached a significant milestone in the field of education after being officially recognized as a fully literate Union Territory under the Government of India’s Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) programme. The achievement reflects sustained efforts to improve adult literacy and expand educational opportunities across the region.
The Union Territory’s Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, announced that Jammu and Kashmir has successfully fulfilled the literacy benchmark set under the ULLAS mission. The recognition places the region among the select States and Union Territories that have achieved full literacy status under the nationwide campaign aimed at promoting lifelong education.
Strong Performance Under the National Literacy Campaign
According to official data, Jammu and Kashmir recorded an overall success rate of 99.09 percent in the literacy programme. Authorities identified 1,80,317 adults who had not received formal education, and 1,78,680 of them successfully completed the required assessment. The results made Jammu and Kashmir the largest population region in the country to secure full literacy recognition under the initiative.
Officials described the achievement as an important step toward improving educational inclusion and ensuring that more citizens gain access to essential reading and writing skills.
Tenth Region to Receive Full Literacy Recognition
With this accomplishment, Jammu and Kashmir has become the tenth State or Union Territory in India to attain full literacy status through the ULLAS initiative. The other regions that have already reached the same milestone include Ladakh, Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand.
The growing number of fully literate regions reflects the progress made under the national campaign to reduce adult illiteracy and encourage lifelong learning among citizens who missed formal schooling during their early years.
About the ULLAS Programme
ULLAS, also known as the Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, is a centrally sponsored programme introduced in line with the National Education Policy. It focuses on providing literacy opportunities to individuals aged 15 years and above who were unable to complete their formal education.
Under the programme’s guidelines, a State or Union Territory is considered fully literate after achieving a literacy rate of at least 95 percent. The benchmark recognizes practical limitations, including advanced age and certain intellectual conditions, which make complete literacy across every section of the population difficult to achieve.
Recognition for Teachers and Education Workers
Congratulating teachers, education officials, administrators, volunteers, and other stakeholders, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha praised their contribution to the success of the literacy mission. He said education continues to be one of the most effective tools for empowerment and social development, while encouraging all departments to maintain the momentum created by this achievement.
Officials believe that earning full literacy status will further strengthen adult education initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir. The recognition is expected to encourage wider participation in lifelong learning programmes and support future efforts aimed at improving educational access, skill development, and social inclusion across the Union Territory.