New India Literacy Programme Launched By Government: Five-Year Plan To Benefit 5 Crore Non-Literates

The government has launched a new centrally sponsored scheme called the "New India Literacy Programme" (NILP) aimed at providing basic literacy and numeracy skills to around 5 crore non-literate individuals aged 15 years and above, the Parliament was told on Wednesday (29 March).

The scheme, which will run for five years from financial year 2022-23 to financial year 2026-27, has a financial outlay of Rs 1,037.90 crore, with the central government providing Rs 700.00 crore and the states contributing Rs 337.90 crore.

The NILP has five components, namely Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Critical Life Skills, Vocational Skills Development, Basic Education, and Continuing Education.

To identify beneficiaries, the surveyors will conduct door-to-door surveys using a mobile app in the states and union territories.

"The non-literate can also avail the benefit of the scheme through direct registration from any place through mobile app," Union Minister of State for Education Annpurna Devi said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

According to the minister, the scheme is based on volunteerism, with volunteers registering through the mobile app for teaching and learning purposes.

Furthermore, the scheme will be implemented predominantly through online mode. 

The teaching-learning material and resources have been made available on the DIKSHA platform of NCERT and can be accessed through mobile apps, the minister said.

Besides online mode, other modes such as TV, radio, and 'Samajik Chetna Kendra' will also be used for disseminating Foundational Literacy and Numeracy.

"All the non-literate above 15 years of age can avail the benefits of the scheme," the minister said.