DIKSHA
Each-One-Teach-One
A school student teaches one non-literate adult in their own neighbourhood, 45–60 minutes a day.
- Teacher cost: zero
- Reaches inside the home
- Builds a citizen, not just a learner
Akshar Jyoti
A movement that leads to opportunity — helping every adult in India read, write and count.
Akshar Jyoti is India Humanity Foundation's adult literacy programme, bringing the light of literacy to every community. For adults who never went to school, or left too soon, learning to read, write and count brings more than a skill — it brings a sense of independence, opportunity and dignity. This is a goal that is in motion and has impacted 4 lakh adults till date.
The challenge
20 crore
adults in India still cannot read, write or count.
They were never enrolled in school, or left too soon. Without literacy, they are locked out of bank accounts, government schemes and job forms — even as India races toward a knowledge economy.
A literate household changes everything — parents who can read become more involved in their children's education, helping build a brighter future for their families and for the country. And as every member of the household learns, doors that were once closed to them begin to open
Understand the challengeHow a literate household makes a brighter future for children and India?
How literacy opens opportunities?
About us
Akshar Jyoti brings adults who never went to school or dropped out early into a structured 60-session programme that builds the skills and confidence to read, write and count.
A fully literate India where every adult gets the opportunity to read, write, count and live with dignity and freedom.
Not literacy as a certificate — literacy as a lived, daily freedom.
Make India totally literate.
To bring the light of literacy to underserved rural communities by enabling adults to learn reading, writing and numeracy in an inclusive and supportive environment—building confidence, independence and opportunities for a better life.
Meet Akshara
Akshara, our mascot, represents every volunteer, every teacher, every student, every Akshar Saathi who steps forward to teach adults to read and write. Through Akshara, we celebrate the power of literacy, the joy of sharing knowledge and the collective effort to build a literate India.
Together, let's spread the light of literacy to Make India Totally Literate
Why now
The Government's ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (2022–27), aligned with NEP 2020, calls on every literate citizen to teach at least one adult in their community.
Akshar Jyoti answers that call.
How it works
Volunteers and Akshar Saathis map non-literate adults in the community.
Learners join a DIKSHA peer-taught group or a VIDYA centre batch.
60 structured sessions using field-tested flashcards and activities.
Learners are assessed and recognised as functionally literate.
Our implementation model
The programme aims to enlighten the whole community through the light of literacy — through a student in the home, or a centre in the village.
Each-One-Teach-One
A school student teaches one non-literate adult in their own neighbourhood, 45–60 minutes a day.
Centre-Based
A trained Akshar Saathi runs a community centre of 40+ adult learners in a shared village space.
Impact & reach
4,00,000+
adults made literate
200+
NGO partners on the ground
22
states across India
9,000+
youth volunteers trained
Get involved
Partner as an NGO, institution or CSR team to bring Akshar Jyoti to your community.
