NIPUN Bharat Mission's literacy gains highlight need for sustained foundational education focus beyond Grade 2

The Hindu - Opinion · 26 Sept 2026 · 2 min read
Prelims · Education Mains · GS2 Governance High relevance

While NIPUN Bharat Mission has improved foundational literacy rates, experts argue for extending support through Grade 5 to ensure authentic literacy that enables critical thinking and comprehension of complex texts.

Key points

NIPUN Bharat Mission has shown measurable progress in foundational literacy, with PARAKH 2024 survey recording a 64% national language score (up from 62% in 2021) and ASER 2024 showing 23.4% of Grade 3 government school students reading at Grade 2 level (up from 16.3% in 2022).

Authentic literacy requires more than decoding words - it demands critical thinking, comprehension of complex arguments, and ability to process unfamiliar information, skills that develop beyond Grade 2.

Current system's focus fades after Grade 2 despite increasing academic demands in Grades 3-5, where texts become denser and require handling of non-linear arguments and unfamiliar concepts.

[GS2-Governance] The mission's success depends on strengthening SCERT and DIET institutions to provide continuous teacher support through guides and training, as seen in Bihar's TLM kits and Haryana's SAUS program.

PARAKH data reveals 35-40% of Grade 3 students still read at Grade 2 level, with wider gaps in rural areas, necessitating targeted catch-up programs and small-group teaching.

[GS3-Economy] Eric Hanushek's research shows three years with effective teachers can close reading gaps for disadvantaged students, highlighting the economic value of sustained teacher quality investment.

Teacher training must shift from generic sessions to skill-focused practice with continuous professional development, classroom mentoring, and technology integration.

Way Forward: India should extend NIPUN to Grades 3-5 with protected time blocks for catch-up, invest in teacher guides and AI-assisted training, and establish a national learning progression framework for foundational skills development.

Key terms

NIPUN Bharat Mission

National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy launched in 2021 under National Education Policy 2020. It aims for universal foundational literacy and numeracy by 2026-27 through measurable learning outcomes, teacher training, and systemic reforms in early education.

PARAKH

Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development - NCERT's national assessment regulator established under NEP 2020 to standardize school evaluations and track learning outcomes across states.

SCERT

State Council of Educational Research and Training - apex state-level institution responsible for teacher education, curriculum development, and educational research. Plays crucial role in implementing NEP 2020 reforms at state level.

Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN)

Basic reading, writing and mathematical skills that form the prerequisite for all future learning. Recognized as urgent national priority under SDG 4 and NEP 2020, requiring mission-mode intervention in early grades.