PIB Summary - 21st May, 2025 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

Mizoram Achieves Full Functional Literacy

Mizoram Declared as India’s First Fully Literate State

• On May 20, 2025, Mizoram was proclaimed as India’s first fully literate state by Chief Minister Lalduhoma.
• The state achieved full functional literacy, defined by the Ministry of Education as having over 95% literacy rate.

Background Information

• Mizoram became a full-fledged state in India on February 20, 1987.
• As per the 2011 Census, Mizoram had a literacy rate of 91.33%, making it the third highest in India at that time.
• The geographical area of Mizoram is 21,081 square kilometers.

Recent Data and Surveys

• A door-to-door survey conducted from August to September 2023 by Cluster Resource Centre Coordinators (CRCCs) identified 3,026 individuals as non-literates.
• Out of these, 1,692 learners actively participated in various literacy activities.
• The PFLS survey for 2023-24 indicated that Mizoram’s literacy rate had reached 98.20%.

Community Involvement

• A group of 292 volunteer teachers, including students, educators, and CRCCs, spearheaded the literacy initiatives in the state.
• These efforts were inspired by the “Kartavya Bodh” campaign and Mizo cultural values, highlighting a community-led model of inclusive education.

Role of ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram

• Mizoram’s literacy mission was aligned with the ULLAS Scheme, which spans from 2022 to 2027.
• This centrally sponsored scheme targets adults aged 15 and above and comprises five components:
• Foundational Literacy and Numeracy
• Critical Life Skills
• Basic Education
• Vocational Skills
• Continuing Education
• On a national scale, 1.77 crore neo-literates appeared for the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT), while 2.37 crore learners and 40.84 lakh volunteers registered on the ULLAS mobile app.

Comparative Insight

• Ladakh was the first administrative unit, not a state, to declare full literacy on June 24, 2024.
• With this achievement, Mizoram became the first full-fledged state in India to reach this milestone.

Significance

•  Mizoram’s achievement reinforces the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates for inclusive and equitable education. 
•  It sets a precedent for grassroots-driven literacy initiatives across the country. 
•  The milestone symbolizes cooperative federalism in the field of education and demonstrates the effectiveness of volunteerism in governance. 

Depot Darpan Portal and Digital Platforms-Anna Mitra and Anna Sahayata

 Context and Objective 

• The initiative was launched by Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi.
• Its primary goal is to strengthen the Public Distribution System (PDS) while enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accountability.
• The initiative aims to ensure food security for over 81 crore beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).
• This topic is relevant for GS Paper 2, which covers Governance, Welfare Schemes, and e-Governance.

Depot Darpan Portal

• The Depot Darpan Portal is a self-assessment and monitoring tool designed for food grain depots managed by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC).
• It allows depot officials to evaluate their operations based on Composite Ratings, which consider 60% operational performance and 40% infrastructural performance.
• The portal integrates technology such as Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, CCTV surveillance, live video feeds, and data analytics to enhance monitoring and efficiency.
• Benefits:
  • The portal has the potential to save ₹275 crore in FCI depots.
  • It could generate an additional ₹140 crore in income by optimizing space utilization in CWC depots.
  • The initiative also addresses existing infrastructure gaps, with budget allocations of ₹280 crore for CWC and ₹1000 crore for FCI.
  • It encourages the development of smart warehousing facilities and the establishment of five-star rated depots.

Anna Mitra Mobile App

• The Anna Mitra Mobile App is designed for stakeholders in the Public Distribution System (PDS), including Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers, District Food Supply Officers (DFSO), and food inspectors.
• Key Features:
  • The app allows users to update stock receipts, receive alerts, and conduct geo-tagged inspections of FPS.
  • It also enables monitoring of FPS performance and provides access to beneficiary data.
• Pilot States: The app is being piloted in states such as Assam, Uttarakhand, Tripura, and Punjab.
• Languages: The app is available in Hindi and English.
• Objectives: The Anna Mitra Mobile App aims to provide real-time data, enhance transparency, and improve operational efficiency within the PDS.

Anna Sahayata Grievance Redressal System

• The Anna Sahayata Grievance Redressal System is specifically designed for beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).
• Utilization of Technology: The system leverages technologies such as WhatsApp, Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS), and Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) to make the grievance lodging process accessible, quick, and available in multiple languages.
• Pilot Implementation: The system is being piloted in states including Gujarat, Jharkhand, Telangana, Tripura, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Language Options: Grievances can be lodged in languages such as Hindi, Gujarati, Telugu, Bangla, and English.

Broader Significance

• The initiatives are aligned with the visions of Digital India and Viksit Bharat, aiming to reinforce the One Nation, One Ration Card (ONORC) system for improved portability and access.
• They also enhance infrastructure grading, nutritional security, and the overall delivery of public services.
• The initiatives are evidence-based, supported by the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey, which indicated a 50% decline in food spending due to improved access.

Conclusion

•  The platforms represent a significant shift in welfare delivery through the use of digital tools, strengthening food security, grievance resolution, and depot management. 
•  They reflect the government’s commitment to reaching the most vulnerable, ensuring transparency, and promoting governance enabled by technology.