Mizoram Becomes India’s First Fully Literate State, Declares CM Lalduhoma

Mizoram has officially become the first fully literate state in India, a milestone confirmed by Chief Minister Lalduhoma during a ceremony at the Mizoram University Auditorium. The declaration was made under the Government of India’s ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) initiative, marking a historic achievement in the country’s education landscape.

The event was attended by key dignitaries, including Education Minister Dr. Vanlalthlana and Union Minister of State for Education, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary.

A Landmark in Education

“This is a proud and historic moment for Mizoram,” said Chief Minister Lalduhoma. “A total of 1,692 individuals who had missed formal education earlier in life embraced learning with remarkable dedication. Their journey is a symbol of resilience and hope.”

Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary praised Mizoram’s efforts, calling it a “moment of pride not just for the state but for the entire nation.”

Driving Forces Behind the Achievement

This literacy success was made possible through the relentless work of the School Education Department, primarily under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan and the New India Literacy Programme (Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram).

To coordinate the literacy mission, Mizoram formed a Governing Council and Executive Committee under the State Literacy Mission Authority. A dedicated State Center for Literacy was also established under SCERT.

Educational Tools and Community Participation

Key learning resources developed for this initiative included:

• Vartian – A Mizo-language study guide with English translations
• Margdarshika – A teaching manual for volunteer educators
• Romei – A learning tool for adult students

Volunteer educators played a central role in this campaign. As per official reports, 292 volunteer teachers, alongside students, educators, and coordinators, contributed to identifying and teaching learners across the state.

Impressive Literacy Rate

According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023–24, Mizoram’s literacy rate has soared to 98.2%, well above the 95% benchmark set by the ULLAS initiative. For context, Mizoram ranked second after Kerala in the 2011 Census with a literacy rate of 91.33%, but has now emerged as the top-ranking state in India in terms of adult literacy.

Of the 3,026 individuals aged 15 and above identified as illiterate, 1,692 voluntarily enrolled in the program to pursue education.

A Model for the Nation

Officials credit this achievement to community mobilization, volunteer support, and consistent government efforts. Mizoram’s success underlines the power of collective will and could serve as a model for other states aiming to achieve full literacy.