In a landmark evaluation of India’s adult literacy progress, Tripura, Delhi, and Tamil Nadu have emerged as frontrunners in foundational literacy and numeracy certification, according to the latest results of the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT). The assessment, conducted under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, highlights both regional successes and disparities in the nation’s adult education landscape.
Designed to assess reading, writing, and numeracy skills of registered non-literate adult learners, FLNAT carries a total of 150 marks and is administered after a structured training process. Between July 2024 and March 2025, more than 1.77 crore adult learners participated in the test. However, as of May 2025, only 34.31 lakh individuals have been certified, reflecting a national certification rate of just 19.4 percent.
Tamil Nadu distinguished itself with a flawless 100 percent certification rate, successfully certifying all 5,09,694 test takers. Close on its heels, Delhi and Tripura posted equally impressive outcomes — Delhi certified 7,901 of its 7,959 candidates (99.3 percent), while Tripura certified 13,909 of 14,179 learners, marking a 98.1 percent success rate.
In contrast, several states fell short in translating participation into certification. Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh recorded comparatively lower success rates of 85.7 percent, 87.1 percent and 88.3 percent respectively, despite enrolling a significant number of learners.
The assessment, developed and managed by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), lays bare the uneven pace at which states are addressing the literacy gap among adults. While some have demonstrated effective mobilisation, training, and support systems, others appear to lag in either implementation or learner outcomes.
Two previous rounds of FLNAT conducted in 2023 showed relatively stronger performances — particularly in the September 2023 phase, which certified over 15.5 lakh of 17.39 lakh test takers — indicating that continued momentum and consistent support are key to sustaining literacy gains.
The findings not only underline the achievements of states like Tamil Nadu, Tripura, and Delhi but also serve as a call to action for others to strengthen adult education frameworks. With over a billion citizens, India’s literacy journey remains a formidable challenge, and the latest FLNAT results present both a cause for celebration and an urgent reminder of the work ahead.
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