Mizoram becomes India’s first fully literate state under the ULLAS initiative, with a 98.2% literacy rate. Chief Minister Lalduhoma hails it as a historic milestone and calls for greater strides in digital and financial literacy, setting a national example in inclusive education and lifelong learning.
Mizoram has been officially declared the first fully literate state in the country. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Tuesday at a grand celebratory event, marking a transformative moment not just for the state, but for the entire nation.
The declaration comes under the Central government’s ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) initiative, which mandates a minimum literacy rate of 95% of the population. As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS 2023–2024), Mizoram has achieved an impressive literacy rate of 98.2%, surpassing all other states in India. This makes Mizoram the first state to officially meet and exceed the criteria set under the ULLAS program.
Addressing the gathering, CM Lalduhoma spoke with deep pride about the collective efforts that led to this achievement. “Today marks a historic moment in the journey of Mizoram, one that will be remembered by generations. This is not just a statistic—it is a transformational milestone, one that speaks to the collective will, discipline, and vision of our people,” he said.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the success was the result of dedicated efforts from people across the state, especially the 1,692 individuals who, despite missing earlier opportunities, showed an extraordinary will to learn and participate in the literacy campaign even at later stages of life.
He noted that this was not the conclusion of the literacy movement but the beginning of a broader mission. “We celebrate this day not as the end of a campaign, but as the dawn of a new era of opportunity, empowerment, and inclusion. We renew our commitment to sustaining literacy through continuous education, digital access, and vocational skill training.”
Union Minister of State for Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary, and Mizoram’s Education Minister Vanlalthlana were also present at the event. Minister Chaudhary lauded Mizoram’s achievement and applauded the tireless efforts of all stakeholders involved. “This is a proud day not just for Mizoram, but for the entire nation. The state’s commitment to inclusive education and growth through learning will serve as a model for others,” he said.
CM Lalduhoma further called upon the citizens of Mizoram to build upon this foundation, aiming for new heights in digital literacy, financial knowledge, and entrepreneurial skills. “Let this be just the beginning. Let us now aim higher—towards digital literacy, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship for every Mizo,” he urged.
The path to full literacy was paved by the tireless work of the School Education Department under Samagra Shiksha and the New India Literacy Programme (Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram). The state government established a governing council and executive committee under the State Literacy Mission Authority, coordinated by the State Project Office under Samagra Shiksha Mizoram.
To further support the mission, the State Centre for Literacy (SCL) under SCERT created various resources in the Mizo language such as Vartian, and an English version for the Lawngtlai district. Additional support materials like Romei for learners and Margdarshikha for Volunteer Teachers were developed to aid in the educational outreach.
Cluster Resource Centre Coordinators (CRCCs) were pivotal in identifying illiterate individuals over the age of 15, discovering 3,026 people, of whom 1,692 expressed interest in learning.
Historically, Mizoram has been one of India’s most literate states. According to the 2011 census, it had a literacy rate of 91.58%, second only to Kerala’s 93.91%. With a national literacy rate of 74.04% at the time, Mizoram’s journey has been one of remarkable progress and commitment.
Concluding his speech, CM Lalduhoma said, “We are proud to be the first, and we will work to remain the best. Let this declaration ignite a new wave of learning and empowerment. Together, we move forward—towards a smarter, stronger, and more inclusive Mizoram.”
