Himachal Pradesh Earns National Recognition in New Delhi as Literacy Rate Reaches 99.55 Percent to Rank Second in India Himachal Pradesh has become India's second most literate state with a literacy rate of 99.55 percent. Education Minister Rohit Thakur received a national award on International Literacy Day in New Delhi. 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. What this means for you This national recognition for Himachal Pradesh will streamline citizen access to public services while establishing higher quality benchmarks in state-run educational institutions. • In Himachal Pradesh: Expanded digital and adult literacy centers across rural areas will help residents access online public services and welfare benefits independently. Citizens can handle banking, official documentation, and state schemes without relying on third parties. • In Himachal Pradesh: The rise in school education rankings guarantees improved infrastructure and training in government schools. Families can access higher quality public education locally, reducing financial reliance on private schooling. • Across India: The successful execution of the ULLAS model offers a clear blueprint for other states working to eliminate illiteracy. National policymakers can adapt Himachal Pradesh's volunteer network strategies in low-literacy districts nationwide. • Across India: Achieving a near-total literacy rate positions the state as a preferred destination for skill-intensive investments. Technology companies and vocational training institutes gain access to a fully literate workforce. Why this happened The achievement of a 99.55 percent literacy rate by Himachal Pradesh stems from structured government policy and the systematic deployment of the ULLAS framework across all 12 districts. State departments combined volunteer training with digital tracking to identify and educate non-literate citizens. • Effective Implementation of the ULLAS Framework: Introduced in 2023-24 across the state, the program registered 94,930 learners on the central portal. This systematic enrollment enabled local teams to map non-literate individuals in rural and remote mountain regions. • Mobilization of Volunteer Educators: The state recruited and trained 19,232 volunteer teachers to conduct community-level learning sessions. This decentralized teaching network provided foundational reading, writing, and arithmetic instruction at the village level. • High Pass Rate in Foundational Assessments: Three separate assessment tests evaluated 61,542 registered learners, with 59,896 achieving passing scores. This 97.3 percent success rate directly pushed the overall state literacy rate from 99.3 percent to 99.55 percent. • Focus on Educational Quality and Infrastructure: Moving up seven spots in the PGI 2.0 index to 6th nationally reflects sustained institutional investment. Regular teacher training and updated learning interventions improved student learning outcomes by 16 positions since 2021. Questions & Answers 1. What is Himachal Pradesh's rank in literacy rate in India? Himachal Pradesh ranks second in India with a 99.55 percent literacy rate. Goa holds the top position with 99.7 percent. 2. How many learners registered under the ULLAS program in Himachal Pradesh? A total of 94,930 learners were registered on the ULLAS portal, while 19,232 volunteer teachers were trained. 3. What rank did Himachal Pradesh achieve in the PGI 2.0 report? In the Ministry of Education's PGI 2.0 report, Himachal Pradesh jumped seven spots to reach 6th place nationally. Among states, it ranked 3rd. 4. What is the next literacy target of the Himachal Pradesh government? The Himachal government aims to achieve 100 percent literacy during 2026-27, focusing on digital literacy and vocational skills. Inspiration & Lessons The educational transformation of Himachal Pradesh demonstrates how structured governance paired with community volunteerism can drive widespread social progress. • The Power of Community Volunteerism: Mobilizing 19,232 volunteer teachers shows that societal development relies heavily on active civic participation alongside public policy. • Commitment to Continuous Improvement: Rather than settling after reaching a 99.3 percent literacy mark, setting a firm goal of 100 percent by 2026-27 illustrates the value of constant growth. • Leveraging Technology for Accountability: Using the ULLAS portal for tracking thousands of learners demonstrates how digital tools improve campaign transparency and outcomes. • Adapting to Modern Requirements: Shifting focus from basic reading to digital literacy and vocational skills teaches the importance of aligning education with future economic needs. https://trendkia.com/en/himachal-pradesh/new-delhi-men-rashtriya-puraskara-hasila-kara-99-55-pratishata-dara-ke-satha-desha-men-dusare-sthana-para-pahuncha-himachal-prades-30064 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.