Chandigarh is poised to create history by becoming the first Union Territory in India to achieve full literacy. A citywide adult education campaign has propelled the literacy rate beyond the 95 percent mark, a milestone that qualifies it to be declared “fully literate.”
The initiative was carried out under the Union government’s Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram through the ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society) programme. As part of the drive, the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT) was conducted across 111 centres in government schools. The response was overwhelming, with more than 15,000 adult learners taking part in the assessment.
The campaign began with a door-to-door survey that identified over 7,700 non-literate adults in the city. To reach this population, the Education Department mobilised a large workforce of more than 5,000 teachers, 150 nodal in-charges, volunteers, NSS and NCC cadets, and school students. Schools were transformed into literacy hubs where classes were held at times convenient for working men and women, including evenings and weekends.
Specially designed primers developed by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) were used for teaching.
In addition, technology played a significant role, with learners encouraged to use the ULLAS mobile app and the DIKSHA platform for self-paced learning. The combination of classroom sessions, digital tools and community support ensured that learners from all sections of society could participate.
According to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (2023-24), Chandigarh’s literacy rate was recorded at 93.7 percent – with 96.4 percent literacy among males and 90.7 percent among females. The recent adult education efforts have now pushed the city past the 95 percent benchmark, bringing it within reach of being formally declared fully literate.
The campaign also ensured that learners felt valued. At several centres, participants were welcomed with tea, snacks and small gifts. In govt school Manimajra, every learner was handed a kilogram of black chana, symbolising appreciation for their commitment.
Officials said the focus would now shift to sustaining the gains. Awareness campaigns, peer mentoring programmes and continued use of digital learning platforms will be used to ensure that literacy levels remain high and no individual is left behind.
"If officially declared, Chandigarh will become the first Union Territory in the country to achieve full literacy – a milestone that could serve as a model for states and UTs across India", said concerned officials.