The Government of India has been making continuous efforts towards achieving universal literacy through successive adult education and literacy programmes. The Saakshar Bharat Mission (SBM) was implemented as a major adult literacy programme with the objective of imparting basic literacy and numeracy skills to non-literate adults, particularly women and disadvantaged sections of society. Building upon the experience and achievements of the Saakshar Bharat Mission and in keeping with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Government of India introduced ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (New India Literacy Programme) in 2022.
ULLAS is being implemented during the period 2022–2027 with the objective of providing education and learning opportunities to adults aged 15 years and above who could not access or complete formal schooling. The programme seeks to empower learners through Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Critical Life Skills, Vocational Skills, Basic Education and Continuing Education, while fostering a culture of lifelong learning.
In Assam, ULLAS is being implemented through the State Literacy Mission Authority (SLMA), Assam, under the Directorate of Non-Formal & Adult Education, with the participation of District Literacy Mission Authorities, local bodies, educational institutions and community volunteers.