Tripura is set to be officially declared a fully literate state, becoming the third in India after Mizoram and Goa. This achievement follows the successful implementation of the ULLAS literacy programme, raising the state’s literacy rate to 95.6% and marking a significant milestone in India’s educational development.
Tripura is all set to be formally declared a fully literate state on Monday, joining the distinguished league of Mizoram and Goa. The announcement will be made by Chief Minister Manik Saha at a historic event to be attended by senior officials of the Union Ministry of Education and other dignitaries, marking a transformative moment in the state’s educational journey.
According to an official from the Education Department, this achievement stands as a “shining example of a revolutionary social accomplishment.” It reflects the culmination of years of determined efforts, inclusive planning, and community participation that paved the way for Tripura’s recognition as a fully literate state.
Behind this landmark development lies the successful implementation of the ‘ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) – New India Literacy Programme,’ a flagship mission launched by the Government of India in 2022. The programme was conceptualized in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, with the objective of achieving universal adult literacy in India by 2027.
Tripura’s literacy rate stood at 93.7% according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for the fiscal year 2023–24. Through the rigorous and targeted implementation of ULLAS, the state has now surpassed the 95% benchmark, reaching a literacy rate of 95.6%. As per national criteria, any state or Union Territory crossing this threshold qualifies for the ‘fully literate’ status.
The journey of Tripura’s literacy movement has been long and inspiring. In 1961, the literacy rate was a mere 20.24%. Despite socio-economic challenges and difficult terrains, the state consistently worked to improve this figure. The 2011 census had ranked Tripura as the third highest literate state in India, with a literacy rate of 87.22%, trailing only Kerala and Mizoram.
What sets this achievement apart is the inclusive and ground-level approach that the current government adopted. Unlike previous literacy drives that primarily focused on basic signature skills, the new initiatives under ULLAS emphasized functional literacy. The goal was to empower citizens with practical knowledge—financial awareness, digital transactions, basic numeracy, and essential life skills—necessary to thrive in a modern society.
This coordinated mission saw the active participation of multiple stakeholders. The School Education Department, State Literacy Mission Authority, SCERT, retired teachers, students, and trained personnel all worked in unison to bring about this transformation. Special committees were formed at the state, district, and block levels to ensure seamless execution.
The development and distribution of educational content in multiple languages—Bengali, English, and Kokborok—played a key role in making literacy accessible to people from diverse linguistic backgrounds. Teachers and volunteers received targeted training to adapt to the unique needs of learners, and youth were mobilized to join the mission under the Youth Literacy Corps.
Through 2,228 dedicated volunteer teachers and 943 Social Awareness Centers, the light of education reached even the remotest villages and hill markets of Tripura. Makeshift classrooms were set up in courtyards, tea stalls, and village squares. Volunteers made door-to-door visits, organized awareness campaigns, and conducted classes in markets, community halls, and local schools.
This grassroots approach made education not just a government programme but a people’s movement.
As the state prepares for Monday’s official declaration, there is a palpable sense of pride and achievement. The event will not only be a celebration of Tripura’s success but also a testament to what dedicated governance, community involvement, and inclusive policies can achieve.
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“This achievement will serve as a beacon for other states,” the Education Department official said. “It is the result of countless hours of empathy, dedication, and hard work by thousands of individuals who believed in the power of education.”
Tripura’s transformation into a fully literate state is not just a milestone—it is a message to the nation that with collective will, inclusive planning, and sustained efforts, the dream of total literacy is within reach.