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Mizoram declared India's first fully literate state, confirms CM Lalduhoma
'Today marks a historic moment in the journey of our state – one that will be remembered by generations to come. A total of 1,692 persons who, despite having missed earlier educational opportunities, demonstrated extraordinary determination and a will to learn, even in later stages of life,' the CM said on the occasion.
Chaudhary praised Mizoram's commitment to inclusive growth through education. 'This is a proud day not just for Mizoram, but for the entire nation,' he added.
Mizoram becomes first fully literate state in India: The mission
The CM claimed that the School Education Department's persistent efforts, especially through Samagra Shiksha and the New India Literacy Programme (Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram), were responsible for the historic achievement. Under the direction of Samagra Shiksha Mizoram's State Project Office, the state government formed an Executive Committee and Governing Council under the State Literacy Mission Authority.
The State Center for Literacy was established under SCERT in order to assist the purpose. It created Vartian, a Mizo language study resource, and an English translation for students in the Lawngtlai district. Other tools were developed, including Margdarshika for Volunteer Teachers and Romei for Students.
According to the CM, 3,026 illiterate people aged 15 and older were identified by Cluster Resource Center Coordinators acting as surveyors for the New India Literacy Programme, of whom 1,692 indicated a desire to study. Kerala was ranked as the most literate state in the 2011 Census, followed by Mizoram, which has a population of only about 11 lakh.
Mizoram, India's First Fully 'Literate State': The ULLAS foundation
The state ranked 3th in India with a literacy rate of 91.33%, according to the 2011 Census. In accordance with the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS 2023–2024), Mizoram achieved a literacy rate of 98.2%, making it the first fully literate state, according to an official statement released by the Mizoram government. This is in accordance with the ULLAS plan, which requires a minimum literacy rate of 95 percent.
To identify and teach the remaining non-literate people, officials added, the ULLAS- Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society and Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram were put into place. Surveys were carried out using estimates from the 2011 census data.
According to officials, 292 volunteer teachers in all, students, educators, resource people, and Cluster Resource Center Coordinators volunteered to lead this mission. According to them, Mizoram has achieved complete literacy as a consequence of community mobilization, devotion, and teamwork.
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Indian Express
4 days ago
- Indian Express
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Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
What gets counted, counts
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On the policy front, schemes like the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan and the National Education Policy 2020 have laid out a framework for inclusive education. But, amidst all these sweeping changes, one thing has remained unchanged--the absence of comprehensive data on children with disabilities. It would be inaccurate to say that no efforts have been made to gather data, but the real question is: Have they been adequate? Or are we still building policies on an incomplete picture? The primary source of data on children with disabilities in India remains the outdated Census 2011. While it provided insights on total numbers, age and gender distribution, and school enrolment, it only accounted for seven categories of disabilities–far fewer than the 21 recognised under the RPWDA. A more recent effort, the 76th National Sample Survey (2018), offered limited insights on school enrolment, but lacked disaggregation by age or type of disability. Two other datasets offer some insights. 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Take, for instance, the NFHS 2016 findings on child malnutrition and anaemia in women, which spurred public concern and led to the launch of the Poshan Abhiyaan in 2018. When data is lacking, the issue itself becomes invisible in public discourse and sidelined in policy. This has long been the case with children with disabilities. Consider this: As per Census 2011, India had 78.6 lakh children with disabilities. Yet, according to UDISE 2023–24, only records 21 lakh enrolled in schools. What happened in these 16 years? Did the number decline drastically, or are millions simply out of school? This data vacuum fosters a dangerous complacency, weakening both public pressure and government response. The 2021 Census, now rescheduled for completion by 2027, offers a long-overdue opportunity to correct course. It can close the data gap for children with disabilities, but only if designed with intentionality. At a minimum, it must align with the RPWDA and recognise all 21 legally defined disability categories. It should also collect disaggregated data by age, gender, and location, and include specific questions on school enrolment and educational access. But better questions are only the starting point. The quality of disability data depends significantly on how it is collected. Enumerators must be trained to sensitively identify all forms of disability, the language and format of questions must be accessible and inclusive, and caregivers and community workers should be involved in the process. As NITI Aayog's Strategy for New India@75 notes, accurate identification remains a challenge, as many families hide disabilities to avoid discrimination. At the same time, a decadal exercise alone cannot anchor inclusive planning. Census data, while useful for macro-level analysis, is too infrequent to reflect the dynamic realities of children's lives, such as transitions in and out of school or changing support needs. That's why the Census must be complemented not replaced by robust, annual, and integrated data systems that monitor the full journey of children with disabilities, from enrolment to learning outcomes and transitions to higher education or employment. This requires strengthening databases like UDISE to include out-of-school children and those in home-based education, and disaggregating key indicators by type of disability. It also calls for better coordination across ministries to build a shared understanding of needs. For children with disabilities, the absence of data is not just a technical flaw, it signals exclusion. What isn't counted isn't seen, and what isn't seen isn't served. The Census is not just a chance to update numbers; it is a test of our national commitment to inclusion. If designed well, it could catalyse a decade of data-driven reform. But it cannot stand alone. Real accountability means treating disability data not as a one-time exercise, but as an ongoing responsibility. Inclusion begins with visibility. This article is authored by Somya Jain, research fellow, disability, inclusion and access, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, New Delhi.
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Time of India
Push to boost scheme coverage in urban villages of Noida, Gr Noida
Noida: Welfare camps are being held across 36 locations in Noida and Greater Noida's urban villages to boost enrolment under state pension and welfare schemes. The camps, which began on Monday, will run till Sept 22. Officials said the initiative targets residents of urban villages who often miss out on benefits due to lack of awareness or income certificate issues. While many exceed the Rs 56,000 annual income cap set for various schemes, a sizable population still falls within the eligibility bracket but lacks proper documentation. "Urban villages have dense populations, but many remain outside the coverage net. We've directed village accountants to issue correct income certificates to eligible residents," said Satish Kumar, district social welfare officer, Gautam Buddha Nagar. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida According to official data, the district currently has 15,731 beneficiaries under the National Old Age Pension Scheme, 15,892 under the Destitute Women Pension Scheme, and 4,115 under the Divyang Pension Scheme. Each receives Rs 1,000 per month, disbursed quarterly. Other departments, including Agriculture, Child Development, Skill Development, and Food & Civil Supplies, are also part of the outreach to promote wider scheme awareness. Officials have urged residents to attend the camps and avail themselves of the services.
