**Executive Summary**
The document is an answer provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education to unstarred question No-65 in Lok Sabha, answered on December 1, 2025. It details the progress and findings related to foundational literacy and numeracy, referencing studies like the Foundational Learning Study (FLS) 2022 and PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan (PRS) 2024. It also highlights the initiatives under the NIPUN Bharat Mission launched on July 5th, 2021, aimed at improving foundational skills by Grade 2.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Foundational Learning Study (FLS) 2022:**
* Conducted by NCERT, FLS 2022 provides benchmarks for foundational literacy and numeracy.
* As per FLS 2022, 52% of students are proficient in numeracy, with language proficiency varying.
* FLS 2022 data is publicly available.
* **PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan (PRS) 2024:**
* Conducted on December 4, 2024, to understand baseline performance under NEP 2020.
* Assessed competencies in Grades 3, 6, and 9.
* PRS 2024 reports are available online.
* PRS 2024 highlights significant improvement in foundational literacy and numeracy skills compared to the 2021 National Achievement Survey.
* **NIPUN Bharat Mission:**
* Launched on July 5, 2021, to ensure foundational literacy and numeracy by the end of Grade 2.
* Implemented by all States/Union Territories.
* National Curricular Framework for Foundational Stage (NCF-FS) released on October 20, 2022.
* **Key Initiatives under NIPUN Bharat Mission:**
* 'Vidya Pravesh': A 3-month play-based school preparation module for Grade 1, launched on July 29, 2021, benefitted over 4.2 crore students in 8.9 lakh schools.
* Jaadui Pitara (JP): Launched on February 20, 2023, it is a collection of learning-teaching materials for children aged 3-6 years.
* Play and activity-based textbooks released in July 2023 for classes 1 and 2.
* e-Jaadui Pitara (e-JP): Launched on February 10, 2024, providing interactive content in multiple languages.
* Primers: Developed in 121 local languages (launched in March 2024).
* Lakshya: Targets for Foundational Literacy and Numeracy developed from Balvatika to Grade 2.
* NISHTHA: Online training for teachers launched using DIKSHA platform. 15.43 lakh+ teachers covered.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Students**
* **Impact:** Improved foundational literacy and numeracy skills through the NIPUN Bharat Mission and related initiatives. Increased access to learning resources and improved learning environments.
* **Action Required:** Engage with the various programs and resources provided to enhance foundational skills.
**Stakeholder: Teachers**
* **Impact:** Access to continuous learning opportunities through NISHTHA and other training programs. Access to improved teaching materials and resources.
* **Action Required:** Participate in training programs and implement new teaching methodologies to enhance student learning.
**Stakeholder: Schools and Educational Institutions**
* **Impact:** Implementation of the NIPUN Bharat Mission and related initiatives. Access to resources and support for improving foundational literacy and numeracy.
* **Action Required:** Implement NIPUN Bharat Mission strategies, utilize available resources, and track student progress.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Education**
* **Impact:** Monitoring and evaluation of the NIPUN Bharat Mission. Dissemination of findings and best practices.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor progress, provide support, and refine strategies to achieve the goals of the NIPUN Bharat Mission.
Key Entities Referenced
NIPUN Bharat: National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN) Bharat, a national mission to ensure foundational literacy and numeracy by the end of Grade 2.
Ministry of Education: The central ministry responsible for the NIPUN Bharat mission and overall education policy.
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: The national policy framework under which the NIPUN Bharat mission was launched and which guides educational reforms.
Foundational Learning Study (FLS) 2022: A study conducted by NCERT to assess foundational literacy and numeracy levels in students, providing benchmarks.
PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan: A survey conducted to understand the baseline performance under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in development of competencies among students. Previously known as National Achievement Survey.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-65
ANSWERED ON-01/12/2025
NIPUN Bharat
65. Shri Kalipada Saren Kherwal:
Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that forty eight percent of students either lacked most of the basic
knowledge or had limited knowledge and skills with regard to global minimum proficiency as
per the Foundational Learning Study 2022, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether it is also a fact that approximately one out of three class VIII students in rural India
within the age group of 14 to 18 cannot read class II level text fluently as per Annual Status of
Education Report 2024 and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of progress achieved by National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with
Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN) Bharat since 2021, year-wise; and
(d) the details of proportion of students in primary schools who have achieved foundational
numeracy and literacy?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)
(a to d) Foundational Learning Study (FLS) 2022, conducted by NCERT under the aegis of
Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSE&L), Ministry of Education(MoE),
provides benchmarks for foundational literacy in different languages and foundational based
on Global Minimum Proficiency framework. As per FLS 2022, 52% students are proficient in
numeracy whereas proficiency across languages tends to vary. Benchmarks and proficiency
data from the FLS 2022 study is available in the public domain
at https://parakh.ncert.gov.in/sites/default/files/fls-reports/report-files-pdf/ORF.pdf
The Government of India conducted PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan (earlier known as
National Achievement Survey) on 4th December, 2024, to understand the baseline performance
under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in development of competencies among
students at the end of the Foundational, Preparatory and Middle Stages (assessed in Grades 3,
6 and 9, respectively) of education. This Sarvekshan is designed as a system-level reflectionon Learning Outcomes in India which underscores critical competency, skill or infrastructural
gaps at various stages of schooling. National, State and District level reports for PARAKH
Rashtriya Sarvekshan(PRS) 2024 are available at https://dashboard.parakh.ncert.gov.in/en, a
dedicated dashboard designed to disseminate the findings of the assessment. The findings of
PRS 2024 highlight a significant improvement as compared to National Achievement Survey
2021 in foundational literacy and numeracy skills, thereby, reflecting the positive impact of the
NIPUN Bharat Mission launched under NEP 2020.
The Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSE&L), Ministry of Education
has launched a National Mission called “National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with
Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN Bharat)” on 5th July, 2021 for ensuring that every child
in the country necessarily attains foundational literacy and numeracy by the end of Grade 2.
This Mission has been set up under the aegis of the centrally sponsored scheme of Samagra
Shiksha- an integrated scheme for School Education Under Samagra Shiksha. All 36
States/Union Territories are implementing NIPUN-Bharat Mission. National Curricular
Framework for Foundational Stage (NCF-FS) was released on 20th October, 2022 providing a
structure for the syllabus, Training of Teachers, Learning Teaching Material (LTM), etc. The
various initiatives under NIPUN Bharat Mission which contribute to better outcomes
implemented by all States/UTs :-
• A 3 months play based ‘School Preparation Module and Guidelines’ for Grade I named
‘Vidya Pravesh’ was launched on 29th July, 2021. The goal of Vidya Pravesh
programme is to promote school preparedness in all children coming to Grade- I from
diverse backgrounds (Balvatika, Anganwadi Centers (AWCs), at home, private play
schools etc.), to ensure a smooth transition of children to Grade-I. It provides play
based, age and developmentally appropriate learning experiences in a joyful and
stimulating environment leading to holistic development to bolster a child’s pre-
literacy, pre-numeracy, cognitive and social skills. This Programme is being
implemented across the country. From 2022-23 till date, over 4.2 crore students in 8.9
lakh schools have benefitted.
• Jaadui Pitara (JP): Launched on 20th February 2023, JP is a collection of 53 Learning-
Teaching Materials (LTM) (toys, games, puzzles, story cards, etc.) for children aged 3-
6 years. It includes resources translated into 22 languages, a Trainer’s Handbook
‘Unmukh’, and an Activity Book ‘Anand’ for integrated worksheets.• Play and activity-based textbooks for classes 1 and 2 have released in July, 2023 (Hindi-
“Sarangi”, English-“Mridang”, “Mathematics- Joyful-Mathematics and Anandmay-
Ganit” and Urdu- “Shahnai”) fulfilling NEP 2020 and NCF-FS (National Curricular
Framework for Foundational Stage) recommendations.
• e-Jaadui Pitara (e-JP): Launched on 10th February 2024, this app and website extend
JP’s reach beyond classrooms, providing interactive content in multiple languages with
AI-driven bots through Katha Sakhi (storyteller), Teacher Tara (educator guide), and
Parent Tara (parent support). It has over 1,000 stories and is accessible via
https://ejaaduipitara.ncert.gov.in/.
• Primers (launched in March, 2024) have been developed in 121 Local Languages for
foundational literacy and numeracy in mother tongues spoken by populations of at least
10,000.
• Lakshya or Targets for Foundational Literacy and Numeracy starting from the
Balvatika upto Grade 2 based on the learning outcomes have been developed on the
basis of national and international research.
• In order to provide continuous learning opportunities to the teachers, NISHTHA
(National Initiative for School Heads' and Teachers' Holistic Advancement) online was
launched using DIKSHA platform in October 2020 to reach out to elementary teachers
and its further extension to all level of teachers. 13.74 lakh+ teachers and 1.69 lakh+
teachers have completed NISHTHA online training programmes for FLN & ECCE
respectively. In total, 15.43 lakh+ teachers have been covered.
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