A Historic Day for Sikkim
On 27 May 2026, Sikkim achieved something very special. It was declared a fully literate state. The announcement happened during the seventh convocation ceremony of Sikkim University in Gangtok. President Droupadi Murmu was present on this historic occasion. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang made the official declaration. Sikkim is now the fifth state in India to earn this honour. This is a proud moment for every citizen of this Himalayan state.
Sikkim Joins the Elite Club of Fully Literate States
Sikkim now belongs to a select group of Indian states. Before Sikkim, four other states achieved full literacy. They are:
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Mizoram – First state to become fully literate (2025, literacy rate 98.2%)
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Goa – Second state (May 2025)
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Tripura – Third state and second in Northeast India (June 2025, literacy rate 95.6%)
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Himachal Pradesh – Fourth state (September 2025, literacy rate 99.3%)
Sikkim is the fifth state overall. It is also the third state in Northeast India after Mizoram and Tripura. Two Union Territories – Ladakh and Chandigarh – have also achieved this status under the ULLAS programme. But Sikkim’s achievement stands out because of its mountainous terrain and scattered villages.
What is the ULLAS Initiative?
ULLAS is a short form. It stands for Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society . It is a flagship literacy programme launched by the Ministry of Education in 2022. The programme runs from 2022 to 2027. It is also known as the Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram or New India Literacy Programme (NILP).
ULLAS was created under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 . Its main goal is to promote adult education, functional literacy, and lifelong learning. The programme targets citizens aged 15 years and above who missed formal schooling. It goes beyond basic reading and writing. It also covers numeracy, digital literacy, financial awareness, vocational learning, and essential life skills. The scheme works in a hybrid mode, using schools, colleges, and community engagement through volunteerism. More than 2.80 crore learners have registered on the ULLAS mobile app across India.
What Does ‘Fully Literate’ Mean?
‘Fully literate’ does not mean that every single person in the state can read and write. Instead, it is linked to adult literacy benchmarks. The Ministry of Education considers a state fully literate when:
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Literacy levels among adults cross around 95%
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Identified non-literate populations are covered through literacy drives
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Adults have basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills
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People have access to continuing education and vocational learning
Sikkim’s literacy rate reached 99.82% under this framework. This is well above the 95% benchmark. Over 14,000 previously non-literate adults were certified through Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) tests conducted under ULLAS. This means the state successfully identified and taught adults who could not read or write before.
How Did Sikkim Achieve This Milestone?
Sikkim’s success did not happen by accident. It was the result of years of hard work. The state government launched a massive adult education campaign. The mission reached:
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All districts, municipalities, and wards
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Every Gram Panchayat Unit
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The remotest villages in the mountains
The campaign used door-to-door surveys between 2024 and 2026. Officials identified over 15,000 non-literate adults. They then enrolled them in learning programmes. What made this effort unique was the role of volunteers. More than 4,000 volunteer teachers came forward. They included government employees, school teachers, college students, social workers, and local residents. These volunteers held flexible learning sessions in schools, village halls, and even private homes. They adapted to the learners’ schedules. Many adult learners balanced their studies with farming, household work, and other daily responsibilities.
Role of Community Participation
The success of Sikkim’s literacy campaign was driven by grassroots involvement. Gram Panchayats, urban local bodies, and local communities actively participated. Women played a particularly significant role. Self-help groups and local women’s organisations helped mobilise participation. Many women learners attended classes for the first time in their lives.
Chief Minister Tamang expressed deep gratitude to the Education Department, volunteer teachers, educators, coordinators, and all officials associated with the mission. He said: “What makes this accomplishment truly inspiring is the courage, perseverance, and enthusiasm of the learners themselves – men and women, young and old, many of whom learned to read and write for the very first time in their lives. Their determination embodies the true spirit of ‘Saakshar Sikkim’ and serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for future generations”.
President Murmu’s Words of Praise
President Droupadi Murmu graced the convocation ceremony on the second day of her three-day visit to Sikkim. She congratulated the state government and the people. She said: “It is a matter of immense pride for Sikkim that it became India’s first fully organic state in 2016 and now it is a fully literate state”. She also noted that nearly 60% of the graduating students and around 70% of medallists at Sikkim University were women. This showed the strong participation of women in education. She praised the inclusive nature of the literacy campaign. “Through such efforts and collective contribution, the state has today become fully literate. This is your collective achievement,” she added.
Why Full Literacy Matters
Literacy is not just about reading and writing. It is the foundation of empowerment, self-confidence, and social equality. A literate person can get better jobs, understand government schemes, read medicine labels, and help their children with schoolwork. Chief Minister Tamang described literacy as the ‘Foundation of empowerment, self-confidence, social equality and progress.’ President Murmu also said: “Education is one of the strongest foundations of dignity, equality, and nation-building”. The literacy milestone contributes to the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 – a developed India.
Overcoming Geographical Challenges
Sikkim is a mountainous state. Its terrain is difficult. Villages are scattered. Weather conditions can be harsh. Many remote areas have no proper roads. Despite these challenges, the literacy mission succeeded. Education officials and volunteers walked long distances to reach learners. They adapted learning schedules to suit adult learners who worked in fields or took care of homes during the 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