Himachal Pradesh has achieved a milestone in education and literacy by recording a 99.55 percent literacy rate, securing its position as the second most literate state in India. Goa remains the top-ranking state in the country with a literacy rate of 99.7 percent. In recognition of this performance under the ULLAS scheme, Himachal Pradesh was honored with a national award at a ceremony organized in New Delhi on the occasion of International Literacy Day. Education Minister Rohit Thakur received the distinction on behalf of the state. Official records attribute this success to the coordinated efforts of the state government, the education department, school teachers, volunteer educators, and local communities across all districts.
National Honor Presented in New Delhi on International Literacy Day
The trajectory of Himachal Pradesh toward comprehensive literacy shows steady progress over recent years. On September 8, 2025, the state was officially declared a fully literate state after achieving a literacy rate of 99.3 percent. Subsequent evaluation drives led to a further increase of 0.25 percentage points, bringing the current literacy figure to 99.55 percent. Speaking after accepting the national honor, Education Minister Rohit Thakur expressed gratitude to all participating teachers, learners, and volunteers who contributed to the campaign. He stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the state administration remains dedicated to implementing educational reforms that establish benchmark standards across the country.
Extensive ULLAS Drive Implemented Across All 12 Districts
The Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) initiative, launched by the central government in the 2022-23 academic year, was formally introduced across Himachal Pradesh during 2023-24. The program encompassed all 12 districts of the state to ensure that non-literate residents in remote and rural areas received foundational education. To streamline tracking and enrollment, the state utilized the official ULLAS portal, registering a total of 94,930 learners.
To support instruction on the ground, 19,232 volunteer teachers were registered and trained to deliver basic reading, writing, and numeracy skills. These volunteers conducted learning sessions directly within local communities. To assess learning outcomes, the state conducted three foundational literacy and numeracy evaluation examinations. Out of 61,542 learners who took the examinations, 59,896 successfully passed, resulting in an overall pass rate of 97.3 percent for the assessment program.
Significant Progress in School Education and Performance Rankings
Alongside adult literacy achievements, Himachal Pradesh demonstrated marked improvements in school education quality. In the Performance Grading Index (PGI 2.0) report released by the Union Ministry of Education, Himachal Pradesh advanced seven places, moving from 13th position to 6th position nationally. In the category comprising states, Himachal Pradesh secured the 3rd rank overall.
The state also registered a notable increase in student learning outcomes. National assessment data shows that Himachal Pradesh rose from 21st rank in 2021 to 5th rank nationally in learning outcomes, representing an improvement of 16 positions. Educational officials credit structured teacher training programs, modernized classroom techniques, and targeted learning interventions for driving these gains.
State Targets 100 Percent Literacy by Academic Year 2026-27
Following the national recognition, the government of Himachal Pradesh established its next benchmark in public education. The state administration has set a formal target to achieve 100 percent literacy during the 2026-27 period. Under this updated framework, official efforts will expand beyond basic reading and writing to emphasize lifelong learning, digital literacy, and vocational skill acquisition.
Education Minister Rohit Thakur affirmed that under the guidance of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the state will continue expanding progressive educational initiatives. The administration aims to ensure that every student has access to equitable, high-quality, and future-oriented learning opportunities as Himachal Pradesh prepares to complete its full literacy roadmap.
