Mizoram, one of India’s mountainous seven sister states, is now declared as a proud first fully literate state of India. This milestone was achieved through the a key part of the central New India Literacy Programme. It was based on Mizoram’s earlier literacy rate of 91.33% from the 2011 Census, which increased to an impressive 98.2% as reported in the 2023–24 Periodic Labour Force Survey.
Despite its modest size and population, Mizoram adopted a community-driven approach to literacy. The Cluster Resource Centre Coordinators carried out a door-to-door survey that identified 3,026 non-literate individuals, with 1,692 of them actively joining literacy sessions. These efforts were powered by volunteer teachers, including students, educators and grassroots education workers, reflecting the state’s strong cultural ethos of Tlawmngaihna (selfless service) and Kartavya Bodh (sense of civic duty).
It utilizes the ULLAS guidelines that a region with over 95% literacy qualifies as functionally literate. With its 98.2% achievement, Mizoram not only fulfilled but surpassed the benchmark. The State’s success was hailed as a national model, demonstrating how collective participation and local leadership can deliver transformative educational outcomes.
This success marks a new beginning, an era of deeper, lifelong learning that will further uplift the state’s human capital and inclusive social development. Beyond basic reading and writing, Mizoram’s literacy efforts are now growing to include digital, financial, and entrepreneurial education. These steps are critical in equipping citizens to adapt to the rapidly evolving socio-economic environment.
The integration of NEP 2020 into State strategy and the promotion of vocational and digital education further signal Mizoram’s forward-looking commitment. Literacy centers are also being upgraded with smart tools and localized content to enhance learning effectiveness and accessibility across remote and rural communities, especially among disadvantaged and marginalized groups.
Today, Mizoram’s success stands out as a model of sustainable and inclusive literacy. From 91% literacy in 2011 to proudly surpassing the functional literacy benchmark by 2025, its journey reflects how focused policies, cultural alignment, and grassroots volunteerism can lead to meaningful societal change. As India envisions a knowledge-based economy, the State reminds us that literacy is the first step, and lifelong learning is the path ahead.