1. Saaskshar Bharat(2009)

2. I. Introduction
Saakshar Bharat, a centrally sponsored scheme was launched on the International Literacy Day, 8th September, 2009 to create a literate society through a variety of teaching learning programmes for non-literate and neo-literate of 15 years and above.[1]
It aims to recast India’s National Literacy Mission to focus on literacy of women, which is expected to increase the literate population by 70 million adults, including 60 million women.[2]
The National Literacy Mission covered 597 districts under Total Literacy Campaign, 485 districts under Post Literacy Programme and 328 districts under Continuing Education Programme. As per 2001 census, over 127 million adults have been made literate of which 60% were women, 23% were SC and 12% were ST.[3]
Whilst the 2011 census showed that India´s literacy has reached 74.04%, an increase of 9.2% from the 2001 census, the literacy rate of women continues to be significantly lower at 65.46%, compared to men’s rate of 82.14%. The programme´s focus is on reducing this gender disparity and thereby achieving the government´s target of 80% national literacy.[4]

3. II. Goals of Saakshar Bharat
To raise literacy rate to 80%,
To reduce gender gap to 10% and
Minimize regional and social disparities, with focus on Women, SCs, STs, Minorities, other disadvantaged groups.
All those districts that had female literacy rate below 50% (as per census 2001) including Left Wing Extremism affected districts (irrespective of literacy level) are being covered under the programme.
III.  Objectives
The Mission has four broad objectives, namely:
Impart functional literacy and numeracy to non-literate and non-numerate adults
Enable the neo-literate adults to continue their learning beyond basic literacy and acquire equivalency to formal educational system
Impart non and neo-literates relevant skill development programmes to improve their earning and living conditions
Promote a learning society by providing opportunities to neo literate adults for continuing education.

4. IV. Targets
The principal target of the mission is to impart functional literacy to 70 million adults in the age group of 15 years and beyond. Auxiliary target of the mission is to cover 1.5 million adults under basic education programme and equal number under vocational (skill development) programme. Within these targets, the Mission will primarily focus on, but not limited to, women. Schedules Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) Minorities, other disadvantaged groups and adolescents in rural areas in low literacy States will be other focused groups. For each focused group and area, there will be a specific target and for each target, an explicit approach and strategy.

5. Category wise Targets under Literacy Programme (Millions)
Male
Female
Total SC 4 10 14 ST 2 6 8
MUSLIMS 12
OTHERS 34 36
TOTAL 60 70

6. Basic Learning
The National Institute of Open schooling (NIOS) in collaboration with the National Literacy Mission Authority (NLMA), Govt Of India conducted a basic literacy assessment program for neo literates under the Saakshar Bharat Programme all over the over the India on August 20, About 50 lakh neo literates participated in this programme. The assessment of the learners for basic literacy programme has been entrusted to NIOS. The basic objective of this assessment is to ascertain the level of literacy of the learners, measure competencies on the functional literacy component and certify the learners for facilitating them to have vertical mobility in the context of availing basic education.

7. Impact
From the programme expanded to 372 districts. The majority of the country’s states have successfully implemented Saakshar Bharat, as per the framework detailed in the Organisational structure section of this report. 170,000 facilities such as libraries and reading areas have been established as part of the Continuing Education phase of the programme. In a period of 3 years, the National Literacy Mission Authority (NLMA) has assessed and certified 14,438,004 adults for their proficiencies in reading, writing and numeracy.
Furthermore, literacy in India is improving. The 2011 census showed literacy in India has increased from 64.84% in 2001 to 74.04% in 2011 and the male-female literacy gap has reduced from 21.59% in 2001 to 16.68% in All areas of India have almost without exception reported a rise in literacy rates from The total number of illiterates has decreased from million to million. Prior to Saakshar Bharat was the National Literacy Mission, from which it developed. As a key implementer for literacy we can say the Saakshar Bharat has been successful.

8. V. Skill Development
For furtherance of the third objective of the scheme, that is, „Equip non and neo literates with vocational skills to improve their living and earning conditions‟, suitable skill development training will be imparted to those having rudimentary levels of education or no education. Jan Shikshan Sansthans (JSS), set up under the Scheme for Assistance to Voluntary Agencies for Adult Education and Skill Development of DSEL, will be institutionally networked with the Adult Education Centres so that they could impart skill development training, as well as literacy linked vocational training. JSS, in coordination with the District Implementing Agency, will enlist neo-literates for appropriate skill development training. Besides specific activities for which a specific budgetary provision is available under the Mission, JSSs will utilize their programme budget to impart vocational skill training.

9. Thank you