Tripura has become the third state in India to be declared fully functionally literate, achieving a 95.6% literacy rate among adults aged 15 and above. This milestone was reached under the Union government’s ULLAS, Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, a nationwide scheme designed to uplift adult learners who missed out on formal education. The announcement was made during a ceremony in Agartala, attended by Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha and officials from the Ministry of Education, celebrating the state’s significant leap in literacy since 1961.

The success of the initiative in Tripura is credited to a blend of grassroots efforts and technology-based learning methods. From door-to-door surveys to engaging community volunteers, the programme effectively identified and educated non-literate individuals across urban and remote areas alike. A key tool in the process was the ULLAS mobile app, which, along with platforms like DIKSHA, provided learning resources in regional languages. Participants were assessed through the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT), and successful learners were awarded certificates jointly issued by NIOS and the Department of School Education & Literacy.

Tripura joins Mizoram and Goa in achieving full literacy status under ULLAS, while Ladakh remains the first Union Territory to do so. The benchmark for this recognition is a minimum of 95% literacy among non-schooled adults aged 15 and above. This accomplishment aligns with the goals of the National Education Policy 2020, and highlights the impact of focused adult education initiatives. With more states moving towards similar achievements, Tripura’s success serves as a model for how technology and local participation can drive large-scale literacy improvements across India.