Lakshadweep Becomes 100% Literate, Union Territory Under ULLAS Programme

Lakshadweep was declared a 100% literate Union Territory on October 11, 2026, under the ULLAS-Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram. Administrator Praful Patel announced the achievement after every identified adult non-literate cleared the required test.

Lakshadweep Becomes a 100% Literate Union Territory

1. An initial survey found 1,113 adult non-literates across the islands.
2. The Department of Education then organised teaching sessions and assessments to build their basic reading, writing and number skills. 
3. All of them passed the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT), which earned the territory its full literacy status for adults aged 15 and above.
4. Some learners were unable or unwilling to travel to the examination centres. In those cases, teachers and supervisors went to their homes and held the assessment at the doorstep.

What Is the ULLAS Programme?

ULLAS stands for Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society. It is also called Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram and is a centrally sponsored scheme for adult education and lifelong learning. It helps non-literate adults gain skills and take part more actively in social and economic life. Its key parts are:

1. Basic literacy and numeracy
2. Critical life skills
3. Basic education for adults who missed school
4. Vocational skills
5. Continuing education after basic literacy

Lakshadweep Literacy Statistics and Breakdown

Census 2011 Data

• Overall literacy rate: 91.85%, the highest among all Union Territories
• Male literacy rate: 95.56%
• Female literacy rate: 87.95%
• Urban areas: 91.92%
• Rural areas: 91.58%

Historical Trend

Literacy rose from 86.66% in the 2001 Census to 91.85% in the 2011 Census.