NCERT

एन. सी. ई. आर. टी

Cell for National Centre for Literacy (CNCL)

About CNCL

As per the recommendations of National Education Policy 2020, the Cell for National Centre for Literacy (CNCL) was constituted in NCERT in March 2021. It is dedicated to ‘Education for All’ (previously referred to as, Adult Education), to develop resource material, both print and non-print, for foundational literacy and numeracy along with critical life skills. The cell works in accordance with Ministry of Education’s centrally sponsored scheme – New India Literacy Program (Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram), popularly known as ULLAS, that focuses on the learners aged 15 years and above, who haven’t had the opportunity to educate themselves.
The National Educational Policy (NEP), 2020 talks about five major areas with respect to Education for All, viz., Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Critical life skills, Vocational Skills Development, Basic Education and Continuing Education. The cell works for adult learners by keeping the focus on two major areas- Foundational Literacy and Numeracy and Critical Life Skills- by developing various resource materials such as Primer titled ULLAS in four volumes, Margdarshika, worksheets, assessment items, video programs based on primer, audio programs on critical life skills, promotional material such as jingle, documentaries, flyers, monograms, informative booklet etc.
The cell aims at working towards achieving the goal of 100% literacy as recommended by National Education Policy, 2020. Keeping this vision in mind, the cell organized various workshops and training programs for educators, key resource persons and master trainers of various states, including orientation workshops for all the regions.
In the same light, the cell envisions to develop synergy with and build upon the existing expertise in developing various resource materials for Foundational Literacy and Numeracy and Critical Life Skills, while also covering the areas of Vocational Skills Development, Basic Education and Continuing Education. For the effective implementation and dissemination of Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram, the cell plans to further develop detailed guidelines, handbook, audio-video programs, story books, posters, pamphlets, monographs etc., while working in co-ordination with the states.

एन. सी. ई. आर. टी

Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (ULLAS)

As per the recommendations of the National Education Policy 2020, the Government of India launched a centrally sponsored scheme called New India Literacy Program, popularly known as ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society) for a period of five years, from 2022- 2027. The primary objective of the scheme is to empower all adults aged 15 years and above, who have not had the opportunity to educate themselves, and to enable them to contribute to the growth of the country. It not only allows the learners to acquire reading, writing and numeracy skills, but also to enrich them with an understanding of critical life skills while encouraging lifelong learning. The scheme is being implemented through volunteerism, promoting social responsibility and a sense of duty or Kartavyabodh. Furthermore, the learners are encouraged to access the content in regional languages on Education for All Vertical on DIKSHA Portal as well as through the ULLAS mobile app.
ULLAS continues to act as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path to education and personal growth. The curriculum, therefore, is designed keeping in mind the socio-cultural-economic context of the learners, which allows for greater affinity and pride amongst them. ULLAS also incorporates experiential learning in its teaching methods for volunteer teachers, making the entire process more engaging and meaningful, simultaneously providing practical value to learning. Along with this, the scheme acknowledges the efforts of the learners as well as the volunteer teachers through certificates which indubitably boost their confidence and motivate them to keep moving forward in life.
This scheme is much more than a literacy program; It is a movement, a drive towards a bright future and empowered citizens. It believes that literacy is a fundamental human right and strives to make this right accessible to all. The learners who embark on this journey not only learn to read and write but are also able to make a significant difference in their lives, their livelihoods and their communities. Each word read, every number calculated and every thought understood brings them one step closer to their dreams and shall continue to do it in the future as well.

Definition of Literacy

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, a landmark reform in India’s educational landscape, recognizes the prominent role of literacy in the development of the country. The NEP 2020 aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4, which focuses on Quality Education. It emphasizes quality education for all in the country, addressing disparities, promoting inclusivity, and recognizing the importance of lifelong learning. While talking of Education for All in para 21, the policy states that ‘strong and innovative government initiatives for adult education - in particular, to facilitate community involvement and the smooth and beneficial integration of technology - will be affected as soon as possible to expedite this all-important aim of achieving 100% literacy’ (para 21.4).
In this context, it becomes essential to define ‘literacy’ and ‘100 percent literacy’, in alignment with NEP 2020, under the centrally sponsored scheme, ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, working towards the goal of ‘Education for All’ across the country. Additionally, it also necessitates the formulation of a clear definition for what may be understood as the criteria for a State/Union Territory to be declared ‘fully literate.’
This fundamental step is crucial to achieving the goal of full literacy under ULLAS, enabling targeted interventions and effective monitoring, thereby fostering socio-economic development of the country.

The Definition of Literacy has been translated and adapted into various Regional Languages throughout the country.

Resources

Foundational Literacy and Numeracy

Literacy is not only limited to reading and writing but is also a tool for meaningful engagement with society that is critical to economic development as well as individual and community well-being. Foundational literacy refers to the skills involved in reading, speaking, writing and interpreting our thoughts. Similarly, numeracy is the ability to perform basic arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Both are equally essential in empowering and improving people’s lives.

ULLAS Primers

Learning and Teaching materials (LTMs)

ULLAS Primer Audiobooks

Worksheet

Assessment Items

Test Papers

Video Programs

Margdarshika For Volunteer Teachers

Guidelines for Developement of Primer

Learning Outcomes

Primers in Indian languages By NCERT and CIIL

Critical Life skills

Critical Life skills are the essential abilities that allow an individual to deal effectively with the everyday challenges and prosper in life. These include significant skills such as Financial Literacy, Legal Literacy, Digital Literacy, Environmental Literacy, Disaster Management, Commercial Skills, Child Care and Education, Health and Family Welfare matters like effective parenting, first-aid, management of road traffic, filling up important forms and documents like voter registration and many more.

Animated Videos

Storybooks

Audio Programs

Video Programs

Basic Education

Basic Education, with reference to ULLAS (Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram) refers to the informal education of learners of 15 years and above in the country. This alludes to preparatory stage (Classes III to V), middle stage (Classes VI to VIII) and secondary stage (Classes IX to XII) equivalency being implemented in a collaborative manner between NCERT/SCERTs and NIOS/SIOS.

Study Materials

Video Programs

Vocational Skill Development

Vocational Education is a part of the skill development process for adult neo-literates with a view towards obtaining local employment, reskilling and upskilling. It is designed for learners to acquire the knowledge, skills and competencies specific to a particular occupation or trade or class of occupations to progress in life.

Study Materials

Video Programs

Continuing Education

Continuing Education, also known as Lifelong Learning, includes engaging holistic adult education courses in arts, sciences, technology, culture, sports, recreation, as well as any other subject area, hobby, craft or skill. It comprises post secondary learning activities providing the learners the flexibility to acquire knowledge of their areas of interest at any point of time in their lives.