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Synopsis Non-formal education means any organised educational activity outside the established formal system--whether operating separately or as an important feature of some broader activity--that is intended to serve identifiable learning clienteles and learning objectives. Non-formal education became part of the international discourse on education policy in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It can be seen as related to the concepts of recurrent and lifelong learning. Adult and non-formal education are essential not only for eradication of illiteracy and universalisation of elementary education, but also for making life-long education a way of life and for bringing about the cultural revolution for the learning society. These alternatives are inter-related and interdependent and both should, therefore, go hand in hand for achieving the laudable objectives. Since a lot of changes have taken place in the national scenario of adult and non-formal education, it is really essential to deal the subject extensively to give a comprehensive review and growth of adult education in India including the latest trends and issues. Literacy, critical factor for the knowledge are discussed along with emerging need, importance and challenges of the information/knowledge revolution in our country.