New India Literacy Programme

The Union Government has approved a new scheme “New India Literacy Programme’ for the period FYs 2022-2027 to cover all the aspects of Adult Education to align with National Education Policy 2020 and Budget Announcements 2021-22.

• The National Education Policy 2020 has recommendations for Adult Education and Lifelong Learning.
• The Union Budget 2021-22, announcement had been made to enable increased access of resources, online modules covering the entire gamut of adult education will be introduced.

Objective: To impart not only foundational literacy and numeracy but also to cover other components which are necessary for a citizen of 21^st century such as critical life skills and basic education.

Need: As per Census 2011, the absolute number of non-literates of the country in 15 years and above age group is 25.76 crore (Male 9.08 crore, Female 16.68 crore).

• In consideration of the progress of persons certified as literates under the Saakshar Bharat programme implemented during 2009-10 to 2017-18, it is estimated that currently around 18.12 crore adults are still non-literate in India.

Target: The scheme will cover non-literates of the age of 15 years and above in all state/UTs in the country.

• The target for Foundational Literacy and Numeracy for FYs 2022-27 is 5 crore learners @ 1 crore per year.