Himachal Pradesh has been declared a ‘fully literate state’ after achieving an impressive literacy rate of 99.3 percent, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced on International Literacy Day (8 September) at the Puran Sakshar Himachal Samaroh and Ullaas Mela-2025 in Shimla.

The milestone marks the state’s transformation from a literacy rate of just 7 percent post-Independence to surpassing the national benchmark of 95 percent. Sukhu said Himachal now ranks first in the country for student–teacher ratio and pledged to further improve government schools, developing them into centres of excellence with world-class infrastructure.

Officials, volunteers and contributors to the New India Literacy Programme – ULLAS were honoured at the event, alongside newly literate citizens and women’s groups.

Education Minister Rohit Thakur described the achievement as a “golden chapter” in the state’s history, noting that dropout rates have fallen to nearly zero. Union Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar, in a video message, congratulated the state and underlined the importance of skill-based learning for adult learners.

Education secretary Rakesh Kanwar confirmed that Himachal had fulfilled all criteria for full literacy, while Director of School Education Ashish Kohli highlighted the contributions of the Ullaas Mela in sustaining literacy efforts over the past three decades.

Inputs from The Indian Express

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