NIPUN Bharat Mission is marking five years of efforts to improve Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) among children across India. Launched by the Ministry of Education on July 5, 2021, the mission aims to ensure that every child develops foundational reading and numeracy skills by the end of Grade 2. The programme focuses on children from Balvatika to Grade 2, with initiatives including Vidya Pravesh, expansion of Balvatikas, FLN-aligned textbooks and the Jadui Pitara and e-Jadui Pitara learning resources. The government has also introduced play- and activity-based textbooks for Classes 1 and 2, along with competency-based assessments and improved teaching-learning materials. Parents and communities are also encouraged to participate actively in children’s learning. The ministry has said NIPUN Bharat is contributing to the improvements in Grade 3 learning outcomes highlighted by the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024. Under the NEP 2020-aligned 5+3+3+4 structure, the foundational stage includes three years of Balvatika followed by Grades 1 and 2, bringing children aged 3–6 into the formal school continuum.
NIPUN Bharat Mission: How India Plans to Strengthen Foundational Learning
