Mumbai: On the occasion of World Literacy Day, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, announced the milestone completion of 25 years of its flagship social impact initiative, Literacy as a Service (LaaS). Launched in 2000 by Dr F.C. Kohli as the Adult Literacy programme, it has evolved into a holistic platform that empowers individuals with functional, financial and digital literacy, enabling greater social inclusion and economic participation.
Over the last 25 years, TCS’ literacy programme has reached 21 States and Union Territories, as well as Africa, transforming the lives of more than 2.85 million learners through a network of 241,000+ facilitators. In FY25 alone, the programme reached over 412,000 learners.
The programme is powered by partnerships with NGOs, government bodies and community volunteers, and amplified through the “Each One Empowers One” initiative, where TCS and Tata Group associates are encouraged to mentor others. TCS has also partnered with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to empower 4,00,000 women across 26 districts with functional, financial and digital literacy.
Available in nine Indian and three foreign languages, LaaS combines graphics, sound patterns and structured learning paths with AI-powered personalisation and vernacular content, making literacy accessible to diverse communities. Inadequate adult literacy continues to be a critical barrier to social mobility and economic growth. Individuals without basic reading and writing skills often face challenges in accessing financial services, understanding their rights, or benefiting from government schemes. This programme addresses such gaps by providing not just literacy but also equipping learners with life-relevant skills such as financial literacy, awareness of citizen entitlements, digital literacy and disaster preparedness. These skills have enabled learners to manage household finances, access government welfare programmes, adopt digital tools and build resilience in times of crisis.
Joseph Sunil Nallapalli, Global Head, CSR, TCS, said, “Literacy is more than the ability to read—it is the foundation of dignity, opportunity, and progress. At TCS, we see adult literacy not as a programme, but as a movement—one that brings underserved communities into the mainstream, unlocks upward economic mobility, and instils a deep sense of self-worth. Through our literacy programme, we are planting the seeds of generational change, empowering individuals to rise, contribute, and lead with confidence.”
For over two decades now, this programme has evolved into a platform that transforms communities by:
- Empowering women to run small businesses, access banking and make informed decisions for their families.
- Improving economic participation by enabling learners to move from informal work to more stable livelihoods.
- Driving social inclusion by helping marginalised groups and rural communities claim entitlements and engage in civic life.
- Bridging the digital divide by equipping first-generation learners with digital skills for the future.