Context: In a letter to all States, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has defined ‘literacy,’ and what it means to achieve ‘full literacy,’ in the light of the renewed push for adult literacy under the New India Literacy Programme (NILP), a five-year programme (2022-27), which aims to onboard one crore learners per year above 15 years across all States and union territories.

• To support adult education/literacy as emphasized in NEP 2020 and SDG 4.6 (ensuring all youth and adults achieve literacy and numeracy by 2030), it is essential to define both Literacy and Full Literacy.

• Literacy: Ability to read, write, and compute with comprehension, i.e. to identify, understand, interpret and create along with critical life skills like digital and financial literacy etc.

• Full Literacy (to be considered equivalent to 100% literacy): Achieving 95% literacy in a State/UT that may be considered as equivalent to fully literate.

Challenges

• Low Pass Percentage: The drop in the pass percentage for Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT) from 89.64%-91.27% in 2023 to 85.27% in 2024 indicates a challenge in maintaining high literacy standards and suggests potential issues in the effectiveness of literacy programs or the rigor of the assessments.

• Budget Constraints: The allocation and utilization of funds for the NILP have been inconsistent. For instance, only Rs 76.41 crore of the allocated Rs 160 crore was utilized in 2022-23, and the budget for 2023-24 was reduced from Rs 157 crore to Rs 100 crore in revised estimates. Such budgetary constraints can impact the scale and effectiveness of the literacy programs.

• High Number of Non-Literate Adults: According to the 2011 Census, there are approximately 25.76 crore non-literate adults in India, comprising a significant gender disparity with more females than males. Despite previous efforts like the Saakshar Bharat program, a substantial number of adults remain non-literate.

• Impact on Daily Life: Non-literate individuals face disadvantages in various aspects of life, including financial transactions, job applications, comprehension of media and technology, understanding of rights, and participation in higher productivity sectors.

Government Initiatives for improving adult literacy in India

• Saakshar Bharat Programme: This was a previous initiative aimed at improving adult literacy. Between 2009-10 and 2017-18, it certified 7.64 crore individuals as literate. Despite its success, it left a significant number of adults still non-literate.

• New India Literacy Programme (NILP): It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely to cover a target of 5.00 crore non-literates in the age group of 15 years and above. The Scheme has five components: (i) Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, (ii) Critical Life Skills, (iii) Vocational Skills Development, (iv) Basic Education and (v) Continuing Education.

• The scheme is based on technology and implemented predominantly through online mode.

• The teaching learning material and resources have been made available on DIKSHA platform of NCERT and can be accessed through the mobile-apps.

• FLNAT (Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test): This assessment is a crucial tool in certifying individuals as literate under the NILP. The test evaluates foundational skills in reading, writing, and numeracy. Individuals who pass the FLNAT are recognized as literate, contributing to the larger goal of increasing literacy rates.

• National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN) Bharat mission: The mission strives to create an enabling environment to ensure the universal acquisition of FLN, so that every child achieves the desired learning by the end of Grade 3, by 2026-27.

• Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS): The scheme aligns with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and aims to empower those adults aged 15 years and above from all backgrounds who could not get due schooling.

About New India Literacy Programme (NILP)

• Infographic titled "Five Components of NILP" with illustrated icons for each: Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), Critical Life Skills, Basic Education, Vocational Skills, and Continuing Education. Each component is listed with a brief description.

• Also known as ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society).

• Launched by MoE, it is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

• Tenure: FYs 2022-27 (5 years).

Objective

• Targets all non-literates of age 15 years and above, with more focus on females and educationally backward states.

• Target 5 crore learners (1.00 crore per year) by using “Online Teaching, Learning and Assessment System (OTLAS)” in collaboration with National Informatics Centre, NCERT and NIOS.

• Implemented through volunteer teachers, students of schools and Higher Education Institutions and Teacher Education Institution.

• It is in alignment with recommendations of NEP2020.

• Need: Absolute number of non-literates in 15 years and above age group is 25.76 crore (Census 2011).