PRAYAGRAJ, April 23 -- A growing number of illiterate people in Uttar Pradesh are showing interest in learning how to read and write, according to state officials. Significant progress has been made in imparting functional literacy to those aged 15 and above. Under the Nav Bharat Literacy Programme, more than 7.5 lakh individuals have been taught basic reading and writing skills over the past four academic sessions from 2022-23 to 2025-26, officials said, citing government data. In the 2025-26 academic session, around 4.5 lakh candidates who appeared for the second phase of the examination are awaiting their results. Once the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) declares the results, the total number of newly literate individuals in the state is expected to cross one million (10 lakh). Anil Bhushan Chaturvedi, director of literacy, alternative education, Urdu and oriental languages, said that 5,42,106 non-literate individuals were identified in the state during 2025-26. Of them, 1,43,946 appeared in the first phase of the examination, and 1,22,146 successfully passed and received literacy certificates. In the second phase, around 4.5 lakh individuals aged 15 and above took the examination and results are yet to be announced. Based on trends from previous years, officials estimate that between three lakh and four lakh candidates are likely to pass. Chaturvedi further said the state has set a target of making one million non-literate individuals literate in the 2026-27 academic session. The proposal has been placed before the Project Approval Board (PAB) of the Union education ministry and work will begin once formal approval is granted....