Understanding ULLAS: India's Journey Towards Complete Literacy

Understanding the ULLAS Initiative

India has set an ambitious target of achieving 100% literacy by 2030, in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-4: Quality Education). To realize this goal, the Union Government launched the ULLAS – Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society. However, the non-participation of Bihar, one of the least literate states in India, poses a significant challenge.

Overview of the ULLAS Scheme

Launched in 2022 by the Union Education Ministry, the ULLAS initiative focuses on:

• Targeting non-literate individuals aged 15 years and above.
• Employing door-to-door identification methods to find beneficiaries.
• Providing training in basic literacy and numeracy (equivalent to Class 3 level).
• Offering both online and offline learning modes.
• Implementing mandatory assessments and certifications.

As per the updated guidelines effective from August 2024, literacy is defined as:

• Reading, writing, and numeracy with comprehension.
• Digital literacy, financial literacy, and essential life skills.

In this framework, a benchmark of 95% literacy is equated to achieving 100% literacy.

Progress So Far

Several States and Union Territories (UTs) have been declared fully literate, including Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, and Ladakh. At least two southern states and one UT are expected to join this list soon. The impact of these initiatives is likely to be reflected in the upcoming Census data.

Bihar: A Major Concern

The literacy statistics from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023–24 indicate that Bihar has a literacy rate of only 74.3%, making it the second lowest in India after Andhra Pradesh (72.6%). This includes male literacy at 82.3% and female literacy at 66.1%. Approximately 2 crore individuals in the 15–59 age group remain non-literate, including 1.32 crore women. The historical trend shows that Bihar's literacy rate was only 61.8% in the 2011 Census, the lowest in the country.

Financial and administrative issues have also plagued the implementation of ULLAS in Bihar. As of 2023–24, the central government approved about ₹35 crore for the scheme, yet there are reports of funds not being transferred to the Single Nodal Agency (SNA) and a lack of annual plans submitted.

Bihar’s Stand: The Akshar Anchal Scheme

Bihar operates its literacy program called the Akshar Anchal Scheme, which has been functional for around 15 years. It primarily targets:

• Dalits, Mahadalits, and minority communities.
• Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) and women aged 15–45.

This program focuses on ensuring schooling for children aged 6–14 and enhancing basic literacy among women. The state argues that Akshar Anchal demands a larger financial commitment than ULLAS, making it seem redundant.

Key Challenges and Way Forward

There are several challenges that need addressing:

• Coordination deficits between the Centre and State.
• The need for integration between ULLAS and the Akshar Anchal Scheme to avoid duplication.
• Significant gender gaps in literacy, particularly in Bihar.
• Underutilization of central funds, which could be improved through performance-based incentives.
• The necessity for robust monitoring and community-based learning models.

Conclusion

The success of India's mission to achieve 100% literacy by 2030 critically depends on engaging lagging states like Bihar. A cooperative, flexible, and outcome-oriented approach—anchored in the vision of lifelong learning outlined in NEP 2020—is essential to transform literacy from a statistical target into a tangible social reality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the ULLAS initiative?
Answer: ULLAS, launched in 2022, aims to achieve 100% literacy in India by 2030, focusing on lifelong learning and targeting non-literate individuals above 15 years.

Q2. What challenges does Bihar face regarding literacy?
Answer: Bihar's literacy rate is low at 74.3%, with significant financial and administrative challenges affecting the implementation of the ULLAS initiative.

Q3. How is literacy defined under the ULLAS scheme?
Answer: Literacy under ULLAS includes reading, writing, numeracy, digital literacy, financial literacy, and essential life skills, expanding the traditional definition.

Q4. What is the Akshar Anchal Scheme?
Answer: This is Bihar's state-run literacy program aimed at improving literacy among marginalized groups, particularly women and children aged 6-14.

Q5. What measures can improve literacy in Bihar?
Answer: Enhancing Centre-State coordination, integrating literacy schemes, addressing gender gaps, and incentivizing fund utilization are crucial for progress.