National Literacy Mission — Definition

Definition

The National Literacy Mission, launched on 5 May 1988, is a major milestone in India's adult-education history, with an important original focus on functional literacy among people aged fifteen to thirty-five.

The contemporary ULLAS framework covers learners aged fifteen and above who missed formal schooling during its approved 2022–23 to 2026–27 programme period. Literacy policy now connects foundational reading, writing and numeracy with life skills, basic education, vocational skills and continuing learning.

Historical mission targets, present programme eligibility and population literacy statistics must be distinguished because they describe different groups, objectives and measures.