The National Literacy Mission was launched, with the approval of the Cabinet, as an independent and autonomous wing of the Ministry of Education (then MHRD), in the year

The National Literacy Mission was launched in 1988 as an autonomous wing of the education ministry.

The year 1996 is later than its actual launch.

The year 1999 is also after its founding.

The year 2000 similarly does not mark its start.

The mission aimed at functional literacy for adults, especially in the 15-35 age group.

It was later reshaped under the Saakshar Bharat programme.