Transformations From Earlier Saaksharta Schemes
ULLAS - A Step Towards Literate India
ULLAS - Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, also known as the New India Literacy Programme (NILP), is a centrally sponsored initiative that aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It aims to empower adults aged 15 and above from all backgrounds who missed formal schooling, helping them integrate into society and contribute to the nation‘s growth.
The programme focuses on imparting functional literacy including reading, writing, and numeracy skills, and enriches learners with critical life skills, fostering lifelong learning
Implemented through volunteerism, ULLAS promotes social responsibility and a sense of duty ‘Kartavya Bodh’, encouraging learners to access educational content in regional languages via the DIKSHA Portal and the ULLAS Mobile App/Portal.
Certificates awarded to learners and volunteer teachers further boost confidence and motivation, driving continuous progress.
Schemes Objectives
To cover non-literates of the age group of 15 years and above in all States/UTs.
The target for Foundational Literacy and Numeracy for FYs 2022-27 is 5 (five) crore learners, with 1 crore learners per year by using “Online Teaching, Learning and Assessment System (OTLAS)”. OTLAS is a computer application embedded in the Web Portal/Mobile App under ULLAS developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
which include, financial literacy, digital literacy, legal literacy, healthcare and awareness, childcare and education, family welfare, etc.
Skill development will be a part of the continuous learning process for neo-literates to obtain local employment
for providing appropriate equivalence
This includes engaging holistic adult education courses in arts, sciences, technology, culture, sports, and recreation, as well as other topics of interest or use to local learners
Schemes Salient Features
- Under ULLAS definition of literacy has been changed from only signature to basic literacy and numeracy. The learners are considered literate only when they are able to functionally read, write and perform basic operations instead of signing and writing the names, this also includes digital and financial literacy.
- The ULLAS scheme is being implemented solely in the spirit of Volunteerism or ‘Kartavyabodh‘, catalysing the program into Janbhagidari that is a citizen’s movement.
- Community involvement and participation plays a pivotal role in its implementation. The aim is to make every individual in the country empowered with the light of literacy i.e - JAN JAN SAAKSHAR.
- The implementation of ULLAS is in Hybrid (both in online and offline) mode.
- The learners & VTs are identified and registered on the ULLAS Mobile App.
- The learners & VTs can also register on the ULLAS Portal/Mobile App directly.
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School is the Unit for the implementation of the scheme.
Samajik Chetna Kendras can be established by utilizing
available space in:
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Schools (Govt. aided/unaided) Local Cultural Centres Community Halls Public Libraries Panchayat Offices Post Offices Higher Education Institutions Teacher Education Institutions One Stop Centre Work Sites
- Adequate space volunteered by willing people, organization, companies, etc.
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- Flexibility for States/UTs to undertake innovative activities under the scheme.
- Foundational Literacy and Numeracy will be imparted through Critical Life Skills to all non-literates in the age group of 15 years and above.
- Use of ULLAS Portal/Mobile App to impart Adult Education for wider coverage of the scheme.
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Primers named ULLAS is available in 22 languages:
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Assamese Bengali Bodo Dogri Gujarati Hindi Kannada Kashmiri Konkani Malayalam Manipuri Marathi Maithili Nepali Oriya Punjabi Sanskrit Santhali Sindhi Tamil Telugu Urdu
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- Assessment of Literacy conducted in local schools using a scientific format to capture the real-life learning and skills for functional literacy through FLNAT, twice in a year. However, States/UTs can also conduct on demand FLNAT. Certificate of literacy issued to the learner is jointly signed by NIOS and DoSEL.
- CSR/Philanthropic support may be received by hosting ICT support, providing volunteer support, opening facilitation centres for learners, and for providing IT access to economically weaker learners in the form of cell phones, etc.
- Priority will be given in terms of categories to girls and women, SC/ST/OBC/Minorities, Persons with Special Needs (Divyangjans), Marginalized/ Nomadic/ Construction workers/ labourers/etc. who can substantially and immediately benefit from adult education. In terms of location/area, the focus shall be on all aspirational districts of NITI Aayog, districts with literacy rates less than the National/State average, Districts/ Blocks with large SC/ST/ Minority population, Educationally Backward Blocks, Left Wing Extremism Affected Districts.
- Convergence with Ministries/Departments for effective implementation of the scheme.
- State/UTs will promote individual/ family/ village/ district success stories through various platforms.
- Utilises all types of media–Electronic, Print, Folk & Interpersonal platforms including social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, TV channels, radio, etc.
ULLAS as JanAndolan
- Participation of about 3 crore stakeholders during Literacy Week from 1st to 8th September 2023.
- Students from Teacher Education and Higher Education Institutions will be actively involved.
- Support will be garnered from PRIs, Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, NYSK, NSS, and NCC volunteers.
Financial Outlay
The financial outlay of “ULLAS” is Rs.1037.90 crore, which includes a Central share of Rs.700 crore and a State share of Rs.337.90 crore respectively.
Implementation
The scheme is implemented through volunteerism in hybrid mode. Training, orientations, and workshops for stakeholders are organised in face-to-face/online mode. All teaching learning materials and resources are provided digitally for easy access to registered learners and volunteer teachers through easily accessible digital modes, viz, TV, radio, cell phone-based free/open-source Apps/portals, etc.
Further, the scheme incentivises the Student Volunteers through credits in school/ university and appreciation through means like certificates, appreciation letters, felicitation, etc. UGC, AICTE, and NCTE have already issued directions to the affiliated institutions to allocate credits to the students actively participating as volunteers in the ULLAS scheme.
Implemented Through
Academic & Resource Support to Scheme Through
Progress
- ULLAS Mobile App launched on 29.7.2023 during Shiksha Samagam
- The ULLAS - Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram has made significant strides in advancing literacy across India. The scheme has already benefitted more than 77 lakh people nationwide who have appeared for FLNAT. The ULLAS Mobile App has garnered over 1.50 crore learners and 37 lakh volunteer teachers, showcasing the widespread reach and impact of this initiative.
- FLNAT (Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test) at a glance:
- To felicitate the accomplishments of selected Neo-literates and Volunteer Teachers from States/UTs, the Department conducted two days ULLAS Mela on 6th and 7th February, 2024 inaugurated by Hon’ble Shiksha Mantri. Primers in 22 languages were released during the ULLAS Mela.
- In a remarkable achievement, Ladakh has become the first administrative unit which is fully literate under ULLAS. Function held on 24.06.2024 in which declaration was made by Hon’ble LG.
- Joint letter was issued by Secretary, DoSEL, and Secretary Skill Development & Entrepreneurship on 10th October, 2023 for linking neo-literates to skill education through JSS (Jan Shikshan Sansthan).
| FLNAT | Date | States/UTs participated | Learners Appeared | Learners Certified | Pass % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 19.03.23 | 11 | 22,37,510 | 20,42,174 | 91.27% |
| 2nd | 24.09.23 | 13 | 17,57,053 | 15,75,129 | 89.64% |
| 3rd | 17.03.24 | 23 | 33,29,704 | 29,52,385 | 88.6% |
| 1,32,685 | - | Result of 3 States/UTs Pending |
ULLAS Portal and Mobile App
As part of the scheme, learners are encouraged to access online content (ULLAS Primers) in their local languages through the ULLAS Mobile App and ULLAS Portal which has material in 22 languages. Both learners and volunteer teachers can register themselves through self-registration button on ULLAS App (available on Android and iOS platform).
ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram is much more than a literacy program; It is a movement, a drive towards a bright future and empowered citizens. It believes that literacy is a fundamental human right and strives to make this right accessible to all.
The learners who embark on this journey not only learn to read and write but are also able to make a significant difference in their lives, their livelihoods and their communities. Each word read, every number calculated and every thought understood brings them one step closer to their dreams, and shall continue to do it in the future as well.