Various steps and programs to eradicate illiteracy in India :-

by - November 23, 2024

Discuss various steps and programs to eradicate illiteracy in India.

Discuss various steps and programs to spread literacy in India. 



Various steps and programs to eradicate illiteracy in India :-


After India became independent, one of the major problems in India was the problem of illiteracy. At that time, the literacy rate in India was at its lowest at only 16.6 percent. Since then, various steps and programs have been taken to eradicate illiteracy in India. Due to various programs taken to eradicate illiteracy, there has been a significant change in the spread of overall education in India. Although the literacy rate in India is 74.04 percent as per the 2011 census. Although the picture is not promising, the literacy program in India is progressing at a rapid pace. Various programs and steps to eradicate illiteracy in India are -


1. Kothari Commission 1962-64:-

The Kothari Commission was formed to spread universal education in India. In 1966, the Kothari Commission made some important recommendations for the spread of universal education in India. The main recommendations are -
(a) It is necessary to make structural changes in the current education system.
(b) Spread of science education.
(c) Give importance to work experience to make education work-oriented.
(d) Create educational opportunities for all by converting all schools into common schools within the next 20 years.
(e) Establish 1 primary school within every 1 kilometer.
(f) Use the media to spread education.

2. National Education Policy 1968:-

Based on the recommendations of the Kothari Commission, the National Education Policy was announced in 1968. The notable recommendations of the National Education Policy are -
(a) Spread of adult education.
(b) Establishment of education centers in every rural area.
(c) Use of mass media for the dissemination of education.
(d) Promotion of distance education.
(e) Promotion of education among illiterate workers.

3. National Adult Literacy Project or NAEP:-

The National Adult Literacy Project was adopted on 2nd October 1978. Illiterate persons between the ages of 15 and 35 years are included in this project. The main objectives of this project were -
(a) To impart knowledge of 3R among illiterate persons.
(b) To make the elderly aware of civic duties and responsibilities.
(c) To increase productivity among the elderly.
(d) To create an attitude of respect for Indian culture.
(e) To eliminate superstitions.


4. National Education Policy 1986:-

The National Education Policy was announced in 1986. The recommendations of the National Education Policy are of particular significance in the dissemination of literacy in India. The notable recommendations of the National Education Policy were -
(a) To give importance to the traditional - extracurricular and distance education for the expansion of education at all levels.
(b) To promote literacy among people aged 15-35 years.
(c) To introduce an inclusive education system for the disabled.
(d) To take special measures for the education of minorities.
(e) To strengthen national institutions like UGC, AICTE, NCERT - etc.
(f) To give importance to meaningful partnerships.

5. Operation Blackboard:-

A programme called Operation Blackboard was taken up on the recommendation of the National Education Policy of 1986. The term blackboard refers to all types of educational materials at the primary level. Some of the special aspects of this programme were -
(a) To adopt a sports-based education policy for the pre-primary education level.
(b) To provide educational aids in every school.
(c) At least two teachers will be employed in every school; One of whom will be a woman.
(d) To establish drinking water and toilets in every school.
(e) To arrange classrooms usable in all seasons.

6. Rural Functional Literacy Programme or RFLP:-

The Rural Functional Literacy Programme was taken up as a subsidiary project of the National Education Policy. The main objectives of this project were -
(a) To give special importance to the spread of literacy among the rural people.
(b) The cost of the project will be borne by the Central and State Governments.
(c) Along with the spread of literacy, to make the citizens aware of their rights and duties.
(d) To involve college and university students as volunteers for the successful implementation of the project.

7. National Literacy Mission NLM:-

The National Literacy Mission was formed on 5 May 1988. The main objective of this mission was full literacy. The main objectives of this project were -
(a) To make 30 million adults literate by 1990.
(b) To make 50 million more literate by 1995.
(c) To acquire the skills necessary for economic status and well-being.
(d) To acquire confidence in mathematical processes.
(e) To provide education for boys and girls aged 6-11 by 1990 and to extend education to all sections of the population by 1995.

8. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan:-

In September 2000, in accordance with the proposal of the international Millennium Development Goal and in fulfillment of its constitutional duty, the Government of India adopted the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan program and it came into effect in 2002. The most successful program among the education programs adopted in India is the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. The main objective of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan was -
(a) To ensure education up to class VIII for all children aged 5-14 years.
(b) To adopt alternative and supplementary education systems along with formal education.
(c) To establish social justice by ensuring basic education.
(d) To provide life-sustaining education.
(e) To complete 8 years of primary education for all children by 2010.

Finally, it can be said that India is moving slowly towards the goal of full literacy. Along with government programs for full literacy, the goodwill and awareness of the common people; political goodwill; The need for proper roles and meaningful partnerships of institutions associated with education - etc.

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