Chandigarh achieves full literacy, touches 99.93% milestone
2nd UT after Ladakh to accomplish feat | Historic moment: Governor Kataria
Chandigarh has achieved a major milestone by attaining a 99.93% literacy rate, making it a fully literate union territory, the second after Ladakh.
To celebrate this achievement, the UT Education Department organised a felicitation ceremony of neo-literates under the ULLAS–Nav-Saksharon ka Alankaran Samaroh, where newly literate individuals were honoured for their accomplishment.
Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria was the chief guest, while Chief Secretary H Rajesh Prasad attended the event as the guest of honour. The ceremony recognised the efforts of neo-literates and highlighted the importance of education in building an empowered society.
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor described the achievement as a historic moment for Chandigarh. He said the success under the ULLAS had helped the city surpass the 95 per cent literacy benchmark set under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
With this accomplishment, Chandigarh had become the sixth state/UT in the country and the second union territory to achieve full literacy.
Kataria informed that Chandigarh’s literacy rate had increased from 93.7 per cent to 99.93 per cent, with 15,556 citizens participating in the programme and 14,711 successfully clearing the literacy assessment.
He also highlighted the remarkable rise in women’s literacy from 90.7 per cent to 99.89 per cent, calling it a significant step towards women empowerment.
The Governor credited the achievement to the collective efforts of the Chandigarh Administration, Education Department, teachers, volunteers, NGOs and social organisations who worked tirelessly to reach non-literate citizens.
Kataria also congratulated the neo-learners who gained both academic and digital literacy through the programme.
Emphasising that literacy is the beginning of lifelong learning, Kataria said education would play a crucial role in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The Governor encouraged citizens to continue learning and contribute to building a knowledge-driven and progressive society.
Also present on the occasion were Prerna Puri, Secretary, Education; Nitish Singla, Director, School Education; and Dr Surender Singh Dahiya, Director, SCERT, Chandigarh, along with neo-literate citizens and officials of the Department of School Education and the Chandigarh Administration.
