Sikkim has been officially declared a fully literate state under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, with Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang making the announcement during the 7th Convocation of Sikkim University at Manan Kendra in Gangtok on Wednesday.
The declaration was made in the presence of Droupadi Murmu, who is currently on a three-day visit to the state, along with Governor Om Prakash Mathur, Education Minister Raju Basnet, and Sikkim University Vice Chancellor Santanu Kumar Swain.
The ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram is a national programme focused on adult education, foundational literacy, and lifelong learning with the aim of ensuring inclusive educational access across all sections of society.
Congratulating the people and government of Sikkim, President Murmu praised the state for achieving full literacy ahead of the national target year of 2027. She said the accomplishment reflected the collective efforts of the government and the people of the state.
The President highlighted the role of literacy in empowering communities and expressed satisfaction over the growing participation of women in education and various professional sectors. She noted that nearly 60 per cent of the graduating students and around 70 per cent of medal recipients at the convocation ceremony were women.
Murmu also commended the Sikkim government for encouraging women’s participation across different fields, stating that women in the state were actively serving as drivers, contractors, and professionals in multiple sectors.
Speaking about the state’s environmental achievements, the President said Sikkim had set an example for the country by becoming India’s first fully organic state while maintaining a balance between development and environmental conservation.
She further said that Sikkim University, located in an ecologically sensitive and culturally rich region, carries a special responsibility in preserving local languages, traditions, and the environment alongside academic excellence.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang described education as the “most powerful instrument of transformation” and urged students to contribute towards social welfare and nation building as responsible citizens.
During the convocation ceremony, degrees were awarded to 13,782 students, including 195 PhD scholars, 53 MPhil scholars, 2,441 postgraduate students, and 11,093 undergraduate students.