Himachal Pradesh has achieved a remarkable milestone, declaring itself fully literate a significant five years ahead of the Government of India’s 2030 target. This incredible accomplishment signifies a profound leap forward in the state’s educational landscape.
Official data reveals that between 2023-24 and 2024-25, a staggering 43,885 individuals gained literacy. With an estimated population of 75.05 lakh in March 2024, this means fewer than 57,000 residents now remain illiterate – a truly impressive feat.
This makes Himachal Pradesh the fifth state in India, following Ladakh, Mizoram, Tripura, and Goa, to achieve ‘fully literate’ status. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu proudly announced this achievement on International Literacy Day, highlighting that the state’s literacy rate now stands at an impressive 99.30%.
Under the national ‘Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS)’ scheme, a state or Union Territory is considered ‘fully literate’ if its literacy rate surpasses 95%. Himachal has been actively implementing the ULLAS program since 2022-23, specifically targeting adults aged 15 and above who previously lacked literacy skills.
This educational surge isn’t just about literacy rates. Earlier this year, Himachal dramatically improved its standing in the National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2024, climbing from 21st to an impressive fifth position nationally. Furthermore, the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2025 recognized Himachal’s children as having some of the best reading abilities across the entire country.
Chief Minister Sukhu attributes this significant progress to the “Vyavastha Parivartan” initiative, which translates to ‘transforming the system.’ Speaking on Tuesday, he stated, “Since coming to power, we have been dedicated to implementing new schemes, ensuring modern and quality education for every child. We’ve introduced English-medium instruction in government schools from the first grade and made tough decisions to rationalize schools through mergers, which has positioned our state as a leader in the student-teacher ratio.”
To further support this commitment, a substantial budget of ₹9,849 crore has been allocated for education in the current financial year. The Chief Minister elaborated on future plans: “To provide modern, high-quality education to all children, we are establishing ‘Rajiv Gandhi Government Model Day-Boarding Schools’ in every Assembly constituency. These advanced institutions will boast smart classrooms, well-stocked libraries, extensive sports facilities, and other contemporary resources vital for holistic child development.”
This journey is even more remarkable considering Himachal’s history. At the time of India’s Independence, the state’s literacy rate was a mere 7%, one of the lowest in the nation. Today, it proudly stands above 99%, significantly exceeding the national benchmark of 95%. Official data also confirms a 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) at the primary level, 103% at both upper primary and secondary levels, and 85% at the higher secondary level, with a near-zero dropout rate at the primary level.
Education Minister Rohit Thakur emphasized that this achievement was a collaborative effort, made possible through comprehensive identification drives that engaged primary school teachers, various government departments, and enthusiastic community participation.