NIPUN Bharat Mission

✦Key Features

• Target: all children attain foundational literacy/numeracy by end of Grade 3 by 2026-27
• Covers children aged 3-9 years in Classes 1-3 in government schools
• NIPUN Bharat Assessment: standardised reading and numeracy competency testing
• DIKSHA platform: 50,000+ learning resources for foundational literacy/numeracy
• Teacher capacity building: all primary teachers trained in foundational pedagogy
• Integration with PM POSHAN (Mid-Day Meal) and Anganwadi (pre-primary)
• 5 crore+ children covered annually; 8 lakh+ primary school teachers trained

✓Eligibility Criteria

• Children enrolled in Balvatika/pre-primary classes up to Grade 3 in all government and government-aided schools.
• Teachers, school heads, parents, and community members involved in early childhood education.

★Benefits

• Improved learning outcomes and reduced learning gaps among young children.
• Enhanced cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development of students.
• Reduced school dropout rates in higher grades due to strong foundational skills.
• Empowerment of teachers through targeted training and pedagogical support.
• Contribution to India's demographic dividend by building a skilled and educated workforce.

▶Application Process

• Integrated into the existing school education system, primarily through government and government-aided schools.
• Children enrolled in Balvatika/pre-primary and Grades 1-3 automatically become beneficiaries.

₹ Budget Allocation

688

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 60:40 (General States), 90:10 (NE/Hilly), 100% (UTs without legislature) under Samagra Shiksha.

Historical Context

Launched in July 2021 as a part of the National Education Policy 2020 implementation strategy.