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Sikkim Joins Elite Club: India's Fifth Fully Literate State

May 28, 2026
day. This made the achievement even more remarkable.

A Timely Achievement Before the Deadline

Sikkim achieved full literacy ahead of the national target set for 2027. The ULLAS programme runs until 2027. Sikkim completed its mission early. This shows the state’s commitment and efficiency. Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba said the achievement reflected years of hard work by volunteers, teachers, and grassroots workers. He stressed the need to sustain the momentum and ensure that the state continues to maintain its literacy standards in the coming years.

Exam-Focused Points

  • Date of declaration:  27 May 2026.

  • Place:  Seventh convocation ceremony of  Sikkim University  at Manan Kendra, Gangtok.

  • Declared by:  Chief Minister  Prem Singh Tamang  (Golay).

  • In the presence of:  President  Droupadi Murmu .

  • Literacy rate achieved:   99.82% .

  • Benchmark for full literacy:   95%  (set by Ministry of Education).

  • Sikkim is the   fifth  fully literate state in India.

  • Four other states:  Mizoram (first), Goa (second), Tripura (third), Himachal Pradesh (fourth).

  • Sikkim is the   third  fully literate state in Northeast India (after Mizoram and Tripura).

  • ULLAS stands for:  Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society.

  • ULLAS is also known as:  Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (New India Literacy Programme).

  • ULLAS launched by:  Ministry of Education in alignment with  National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 .

  • Target group:  Citizens aged  15 years and above  who missed formal schooling.

  • Number of volunteers:  Over  4,000 .

  • Number of non-literate adults identified:  Over 15,000.

  • Number certified through FLN tests:  Over 14,000.

  • ULLAS is a centrally sponsored scheme  running from 2022 to 2027.

  • Also declared fully literate:  Union Territories of  Ladakh  and  Chandigarh .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: When was Sikkim declared a fully literate state?
A: Sikkim was declared a fully literate state on 27 May 2026 during the seventh convocation ceremony of Sikkim University in Gangtok.

Q2: Which are the five fully literate states in India?
A: The five fully literate states are Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim.

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