FLNAT literacy test postponed, all districts told
The education department has postponed the FLNAT test under the ULLAS-New India Literacy Programme, with a new date yet to be announced.
The first Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test, or FLNAT, held under the ULLAS - New India Literacy Programme, has been postponed. The test, the first assessment of the 2026-27 academic year, was to be held offline on September 20, 2026, from 10 am to 5 pm. However, the Directorate of Education decided to postpone the test due to certain unavoidable administrative reasons.
Krishnakumar Patil, Director of the Directorate of Education (Planning) and Member Secretary of the State Literacy Mission Authority, Maharashtra, Pune, sent a letter about this on September 16. The letter was sent to the education officers (planning) of all districts in the state as well as the education officer (planning) of Mumbai, informing them of the postponement. The revised date and time for the FLNAT test have not yet been fixed, and the letter does not make clear when the new schedule will be announced.
Preparations for the test, including finalising examination centres at the district level, registering candidates and preparing lists, setting up physical and administrative arrangements, and coordinating with the relevant systems, had already begun. Following the postponement, the Directorate of Education has directed that all this preparatory work under way at the district level be temporarily halted.
The letter also states that candidates, volunteers, teachers, headmasters, officials and staff connected with the examination centres, and other concerned parties should be informed that the test has been postponed. All education officers concerned have been instructed to ensure that no confusion arises among candidates and the systems involved regarding the test.
Under the central government's ULLAS - New India Literacy Programme, this foundational literacy and numeracy assessment test is held every year for illiterate citizens aged 15 and above. The main objective of the test is to reduce the illiteracy rate in the state and spread basic literacy.
The FLNAT test carries a total of 150 marks and covers three basic subjects: reading, writing and numeracy, that is, mathematics. Besides imparting basic literacy, the programme also provides illiterate citizens with lessons in digital literacy, financial transactions, legal information, health and disaster management.
