Advancing literacy and learning opportunities across communities, enabling millions to build sustainable livelihoods and better futures
MUMBAI (India CSR): Marking International Literacy Day, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, reiterated its commitment to empowering individuals and communities through literacy, digital inclusion, and technology-driven learning.
At the forefront of its efforts is the TCS Literacy Programme. Launched by Dr. F.C. Kohli, it has been transforming lives for over 26 years by addressing literacy needs, particularly among women and underserved communities, enabling greater participation in mainstream society in India’s growing digital economy. Since inception, the programme has empowered more than 5.1 million beneficiaries and 493,928 facilitators. In FY26 alone, it reached 2.7 million learners.
The programme is instrumental in improving literacy rates, imparting functional, financial, and digital literacy, awareness of key citizen entitlements, digital fraud, and disaster resilience. It is delivered through personalised regional content and technology-enabled learning pathways. TCS Literacy Programme also includes Each one Empowers one, an initiative that enables employees from TCS, Tata group companies and citizens across India to volunteer and empower non-literates in their community. Since its inception in 2022, this digital platform has over 11,177 registered volunteers with 20,044 certified beneficiaries.
Joseph Sunil Nallapalli, Global Head, CSR, TCS, said, “At TCS, we view literacy as a catalyst for social and economic empowerment, enabling individuals to participate more fully in society and shape better futures for themselves and their families. Through the TCS Literacy Programme, we are helping create pathways to dignity, self-reliance, and sustainable livelihoods for millions.”
For over two decades, the TCS Literacy Programme has evolved into a transformative movement, empowering individuals and strengthening communities by:
- Empowering women with the literacy, confidence, and skills to manage enterprises, access financial services, and make informed decisions.
- Enhancing livelihood opportunities by enabling learners to enhance their livelihood opportunities and pursue sustainable economic pathways.
- Fostering inclusive development by helping marginalised communities access services, claim entitlements, and participate more fully in society.
- Bridging the digital divide by building foundational digital skills and enabling meaningful participation in the digital economy.
Extending its commitment to K-12 education, TCS runs Ignite My Future (IMF) and go Innovate Together (goIT), two global programmes that equip students with future-ready skills through computational thinking, innovation, and career readiness. Since inception, IMF has impacted over 2.7 million educators and students across 17 countries, while goIT has reached 396,342 students across 67 countries. By combining literacy, digital inclusion and future-ready education, TCS continues to create opportunities for individuals to participate more fully in society and build pathways to sustainable livelihoods.
