Kerala has become the first state in the country to achieve total primary education. Through its literacy programme Athulyam, which was carried out in two phases after being launched in March 2013, the state aimed at educating those who had been unable to complete their primary education up to fourth standard. The programme was meant to provide primary school education to people aged between 15 and 50. In June 2015, 2.6 lakh people took the fourth standard equivalency exam and 2.2 lakh qualified. Examinations were held in 6,613 centres and the qualifying score was set at 30/75 in English and 20/50 in other subjects.

The second phase of Athulyam was carried out across the state as part of the Mission 676 of the government, launched to mark its third anniversary. The programme offers a chance for those who failed to get primary education due to various reasons to achieve the education qualification equivalent to fourth standard.