Literacy is widely recognized as a cornerstone of human development, social inclusion, economic empowerment, and democratic participation. In developing societies, literacy enables individuals to access information, improve livelihood opportunities, make informed decisions, and engage meaningfully in social and political processes. Despite substantial progress in literacy rates since independence, India continues to face challenges associated with adult illiteracy, particularly among marginalized populations, women, migrant workers, and economically disadvantaged communities. Recognizing the need for a comprehensive and inclusive literacy framework, the Government of India introduced the New India Literacy Programme (NILP), also known as ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society), for the period 2022–2027. The programme aims to provide foundational literacy, numeracy, vocational skills, critical life skills, and continuing education opportunities to adults aged fifteen years and above.
This chapter examines awareness, participation, and communication challenges associated with NILP in Dadri Village, Gautam Buddha Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh. Drawing upon empirical evidence collected through a quantitative survey, the chapter explores how communication channels influence programme awareness and participation. The findings reveal a significant gap between national-level achievements and local-level awareness. Although respondents demonstrated access to smartphones and internet connectivity, awareness regarding NILP remained extremely limited. The chapter argues that communication effectiveness constitutes a critical determinant of programme success and proposes a communication-centred framework for improving literacy outreach. The study contributes to the literature on adult education, development communication, and public policy implementation by highlighting the importance of localized engagement in literacy initiatives.
Chapters in this book
- 1. Measuring Reach and Impact of "Ayushman Bharat Scheme" Among Dadri Villagers
- 2. An Exploratory and Analytical Study on Awareness towards Nasha Mukht Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA)
- 3. An Exploratory Study on the Literacy Level of Girdharpur Community
- 4. A Study on the Smartphone usage Patterns in Girdharpur Village
- 5. Awareness, Participation and Communication Challenges in the New India Literacy Programme (NILP): Evidence from Dadri Village, Uttar Pradesh
- 6. From Campaign Visibility to Social Transformation: Community Awareness of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao in Dadri Uttar Pradesh
- 7. Bridging Educational Gaps through Community Engagement: A Community Connect Initiative in College Tilla, Agartala, Tripura
- 8. Women's Safety Awareness, and Self-Defense Preparedness: A Community-Based Study on Public Safety Practices
- 9. Community-Level Assessment of Awareness, Accessibility, and User Experience of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana: Evidence from Greater Noida
- 10. Digital Payment Adoption among Small Vendors: A Community-Based Field Study
- 11. Measuring Misfortune: A Framework for Identifying and Assessing Advertising in Rural Communities
- 12. Role of Digital Payment on Business Performance: A Study of Street Vendors in a Greater Noida Village — Impact and Adoption Analysis
- 13. Women’s Hygiene and Sanitation Challenges in Rural Areas: Pattern of The Residents of Girdharpur Village, Greater Noida
Abstract
Keywords
Adult Literacy NILP ULLAS Development Communication Rural Development Lifelong Learning Government Programmes Literacy Awareness
Chapter information
| Chapter title | Awareness, Participation and Communication Challenges in the New India Literacy Programme (NILP): Evidence from Dadri Village, Uttar Pradesh |
|---|---|
| Author(s) | Nikhil Chauhan, Ms. Deepali Verma |
| Book title | Exploring Grassroot Realties: Insights From Student Led Community Research |
| Editor(s) | Dr. Rajashree Sharma Adhikary, Dr. Mukta Martolia |
| Publication date | June 30, 2026 |
| Access | Restricted access |
How to cite
Nikhil Chauhan, Ms. Deepali Verma. 2026. Awareness, Participation and Communication Challenges in the New India Literacy Programme (NILP): Evidence from Dadri Village, Uttar Pradesh. In: Dr. Rajashree Sharma Adhikary, Dr. Mukta Martolia (eds). Exploring Grassroot Realties: Insights From Student Led Community Research.