The Union Government approved a new scheme “New India Literacy Programme (नव भारत साक्षरता कार्यक्रम) for the period FYs 2022-2027 to cover all the aspects of Adult Education to align with National Education Policy 2020.

New India Literacy Programme

• The scheme will cover non-literates of the age of 15 years and above in all states/UTs in the country.
• The target for Foundational Literacy and Numeracy for FYs 2022-27 is 5 (five) crore learners @ 1.00 crore per year by using “Online Teaching, Learning and Assessment System (OTLAS)”.
• A learner may register him/herself with essential information like name, date of birth, gender, Aadhaar number, mobile number, etc.
• The scheme will be implemented through volunteerism through online mode.
• The training, orientation, workshops of volunteers, maybe organized through face-to-face mode.
• All material and resources shall be provided digitally for easy access to registered volunteers.

Objectives of the scheme

The objectives of the scheme are:

• To impart foundational literacy and numeracy
• To cover other components which are necessary for a citizen of the 21^st century such as critical life skills (including financial literacy, digital literacy, commercial skills, health care and awareness, child care and education, and family welfare)
• Vocational skills development (with a view towards obtaining local employment)
• Basic education (including preparatory, middle, and secondary stage equivalency)
• Continuing education (including engaging holistic adult education courses in arts, sciences, technology, culture, sports, recreation, etc.)

Salient features of the scheme

• The school will be a Unit for implementation of the scheme
• Schools to be used for conducting a survey of beneficiaries and Voluntary Teachers (VTs)
• Foundational Literacy and Numeracy will be imparted through Critical Life Skills to all non-literates in the age group of 15 years and above
• Performance Grading Index (PGI) for State/UT at the district level
• CSR/Philanthropic Support may be received by hosting ICT support, providing volunteer support

Need for this scheme

• 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).
• Even after the Saakshar Bharat program was implemented during 2009-10 to 2017-18, it is estimated that currently around 18.12 crore adults are still non-literate in India.

UPSC 2022 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024

Attend Now