TN, Tripura, and Delhi Emerge as Top Performers in Adult Literacy, Reveals FLNAT Report.

In June 2025, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, and Delhi emerged as top performers in adult literacy certification, according to the latest data from the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT).

      - The assessment is part of the Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) – also known as the New India Literacy Programme (NILP) or Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram – aimed at promoting basic literacy and numeracy among adult learners across India.

      - The FLNAT was developed by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), based in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. It evaluates adult learners in three components: Reading, Writing, and Numeracy, with 50 marks allocated to each, totaling 150 marks. The assessment supports inclusive education by targeting non-literate adults and encouraging lifelong learning.

      - Tamil Nadu achieved a 100% success rate in the FLNAT, certifying all 5,09,694 adult learners who appeared for the test. Delhi followed closely with a 99.3% certification rate, successfully certifying 7,901 out of 7,959 candidates. Tripura recorded a 98.1% success rate, with 13,909 of 14,179 learners certified. In contrast, states like Uttarakhand (85.7%), Gujarat (87.1%), and Himachal Pradesh (88.3%) showed relatively lower certification rates.

Main Point :-   (i) The Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT) is a nationwide test designed to assess and certify non-literate adult learners in reading, writing, and numeracy. It supports learners who complete state-led literacy programmes under the New India Literacy Programme (NILP) or ULLAS initiative.

      (ii) The FLNAT was conducted in phases from July 2024 to March 2025, covering over 1.77 crore adult learners across the country. As of May 2025, only 34.31 lakh learners had been officially certified, bringing the national certification average to 19.4%. However, data from the March 2025 phase—which assessed over 49 lakh learners—is still being compiled and could impact the national average.

(iii) The assessment also saw notable participation from women learners, particularly in Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Odisha, indicating rising awareness and educational empowerment among adult women. Earlier, two rounds of the FLNAT were conducted in March and September 2023, with 15.58 lakh learners certified out of 17.39 lakh who appeared in September.