The Ministry of Education issued new ULLAS teacher education guidelines on 28 October 2026. Each student teacher must help 5 to 8 non-literate adults clear the national literacy test. Student teachers earn academic credits when their learners pass.
The credit is tied to the learner, not the effort. A student teacher earns it only when the adult passes the test. If the learner does not clear it, the credit is at risk.
The Department of School Education and Literacy framed the guidelines. DoSEL runs school and adult education at the Centre.
Union Minister of State for Education Jayant Singh launched them on 28 October 2026.
What are the new ULLAS teacher education guidelines?
The ULLAS teacher education guidelines give teacher training colleges a fixed role in adult literacy. Each student teacher must help 5 to 8 non-literate adults become literate.
ULLAS stands for Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society. It is also called the New India Literacy Programme. The Ministry of Education runs it.
What must student teachers do under ULLAS?
Each student teacher must take 5 to 8 non-literate adults and help them read, write and count. The adults then sit the FLNAT.
FLNAT is the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test. A learner who passes is counted as literate.
Student teachers can teach online or in person. They work with college volunteers and the National Service Scheme.
Main B.Ed student hoon, kya 5 se 8 learners certify karna compulsory hai?
For most B.Ed and D.El.Ed students, taking part in ULLAS is built into the course. It counts as community service.
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Whether 5 to 8 certifications are strictly compulsory depends on your university. The exact credit is set by your university and state council. Ask your college coordinator for the rule.
What academic credit do student teachers get?
Student teachers earn academic credits when their adult learners pass the test. The credit is linked to a successful result, not to hours spent.
In the 2023-24 session, the National Council for Teacher Education asked colleges to link students to ULLAS. Those students could earn 2 credits for community service. NCTE regulates teacher training in India.
| Area | 2023-24 NCTE direction | 2026 ULLAS guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| Student-teacher role | Colleges linked student teachers to ULLAS as volunteers | Each student teacher certifies 5 to 8 non-literate adults |
| Credit | 2 credits for community service | Academic credits tied to successful learner certification |
| Bodies with a defined role | NCTE direction to colleges | NCTE, NCERT, CNCL, SCERTs, DIETs, SLMAs and district authorities |
A credit now depends on whether the learner passes the FLNAT, not on the student teacher showing up.
Who runs the ULLAS teacher education programme?
DoSEL leads the ULLAS teacher education work. The guidelines give each body a written job.
NCTE sets the rules for teacher training colleges. NCERT builds the study material through its literacy cell, the CNCL. SCERTs and DIETs run the work in each state and district.
State Literacy Mission Authorities and district officers track the learners on the ground. DoSEL framed the guidelines after talking to these bodies.
What is ULLAS, the New India Literacy Programme?
ULLAS, the New India Literacy Programme, is a centrally sponsored scheme for adults who missed school. It covers non-literate people aged 15 and above.
The scheme runs from the 2022-23 financial year to 2026-27. It follows the National Education Policy 2020.
The programme has five parts: foundational literacy and numeracy, critical life skills, basic education, vocational skills and continuing education.
The Centre set a target of 5 crore learners over the five years. It aims for one crore adults each year.
A state is called fully literate at a 95% literacy rate. The Centre wants the whole country fully literate by 2030.
How does an adult become literate under ULLAS?
An adult becomes literate under ULLAS by passing the FLNAT. The National Institute of Open Schooling conducts this test. That board is known as NIOS.
A learner who clears the test is counted as literate. Learners register and study through the ULLAS mobile app.
The app records the learner and issues the certificate. Teaching runs online and face to face.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a student teacher get the ULLAS credit if the adult fails the test?
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No, a student teacher does not get the credit if the adult fails the test. The academic credit is tied to successful certification, not to effort. If the learner does not pass the FLNAT, the linked credit is not earned.
How many adults must one student teacher help under ULLAS?
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Under the 2026 ULLAS teacher education guidelines, each student teacher must help 5 to 8 non-literate adults become literate. Those adults must pass the test for the student teacher to earn the linked academic credit. DoSEL sets the number.
What is the FLNAT and who conducts it?
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FLNAT is the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test. NIOS conducts it, and a learner who passes is counted as literate. Learners register and take it through the ULLAS mobile app.
When does the ULLAS scheme end?
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The New India Literacy Programme, also called ULLAS, runs from the 2022-23 financial year to 2026-27. It is a centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Education for non-literate adults aged 15 and above. The 2026-27 year is its final planned year.
Does a state need 100% literacy to be fully literate under ULLAS?
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A state or union territory is called fully literate at a 95% literacy rate. That mark is treated as equal to 100%. The Centre wants the whole country fully literate by 2030. So up to 5 in 100 people can remain non-literate and a state still qualifies.
Last verified: October 29, 2026
Disclaimer: Dates, fees, cutoffs and eligibility can change without notice. Check with the Ministry of Education before you act.
