Uttarakhand has become India’s sixth fully literate state, with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami marking the achievement at an event held at the Mukhya Sevak Sadan in the government camp office. He honoured new literates who successfully passed examinations conducted by the National Institute of Open Schooling.

Dhami congratulated residents across the state and said the milestone reflected the combined efforts of teachers, students, new learners, volunteers and everyone involved in the literacy campaign. He said achieving full literacy in a state with difficult geography and remote areas demonstrated the determination and collective strength of its people.

Uttarakhand follows 5 states

The Chief Minister said Uttarakhand achieved the status under the National Education Policy-2020 and the ULLAS-New India Literacy Programme. It is the sixth fully literate state in the country, after Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim.

Dhami said the achievement strengthened the state’s commitment to becoming a leader in education and other fields. Addressing the new literates, he said learning has no age limit and that it is never too late to progress.

He described education as a source of confidence and a means of opening new opportunities. According to Dhami, literacy now extends beyond reading, writing and signing one’s name. Understanding rights and duties, along with digital literacy, financial literacy and practical life skills, are also important parts of literacy in a changing society.

State education measures

Dhami said the Union government is working to make education more inclusive and modern under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He said an educated person can change not only their own life but also contribute to the progress of their family, society and country.

The Chief Minister said the state government is focusing on improving education quality and supporting students’ overall development. The measures he listed include:

  • Financial assistance for eligible girls through the Nanda Gaura Yojana.
  • Virtual classrooms and a central studio being arranged in 500 state schools to improve access for students in remote areas.
  • 189 Atal Utkrisht schools operating across the state.
  • Free education for orphaned children through the Mukhyamantri Balashray Yojana.
  • Work to develop modern laboratories in 100 high schools and 100 intermediate schools.

Education Minister Dr Dhan Singh Rawat said Uttarakhand had achieved the important milestone of becoming a fully literate state under Dhami’s leadership.

MLA Savita Kapoor, Additional Secretary to the Government of India Archana Sharma Awasthi, Education Secretary Jyoti Yadav, Additional Secretary Namami Bansal and other officials attended the programme.

Conclusion

Uttarakhand’s recognition as India’s sixth fully literate state was marked by the honouring of new literates, while the government highlighted continuing efforts to improve access, quality and wider education skills across the state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What new status has Uttarakhand achieved?

Uttarakhand has become India’s sixth fully literate state.

Q. Which examination did the new literates pass?

They passed examinations conducted by the National Institute of Open Schooling.

Q. Which programme supported Uttarakhand’s literacy achievement?

The achievement was made under the National Education Policy-2020 and the ULLAS-New India Literacy Programme.

Q. Which states became fully literate before Uttarakhand?

Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim achieved the status before Uttarakhand.

Q. What does literacy include beyond reading and writing?

It includes understanding rights and duties, digital literacy, financial literacy and practical life skills.

Q. How many schools are being prepared for virtual classrooms?

Virtual classrooms and a central studio are being arranged in 500 state schools.

Q. How many Atal Utkrisht schools are operating in Uttarakhand?

The state has 189 Atal Utkrisht schools.

Q. What support is available to orphaned children?

The Mukhyamantri Balashray Yojana is intended to ensure free education for orphaned children.

Q. Where were the new literates honoured?

They were honoured at the Mukhya Sevak Sadan in the government camp office.