A Comparative Study of Male - Female Literacy Rate of Pune District with Maharashtra and India.

This study examines the evolving trends in male and female literacy in Pune district over recent decades, highlighting the progress and persistent gender disparities. Pune, a key district in Maharashtra, has witnessed substantial growth in educational infrastructure and awareness programs aimed at improving literacy rates. However, the pace and pattern of literacy improvements between males and females differ significantly. Using data from census reports and educational surveys, the study analyzes the growth in literacy rates across rural and urban areas. It identifies key factors contributing to the reduction of the literacy gap, such as government policies, the role of non-governmental organizations, and community-driven initiatives. Furthermore, the study explores barriers to female literacy, including socio-cultural norms, early marriages, and economic constraints. Findings indicate that while male literacy has consistently remained higher, female literacy has shown a steeper growth rate in recent years, signaling progress toward gender parity. However, rural areas continue to lag behind urban areas in both male and female literacy. The study concludes by recommending targeted interventions, such as gender-specific educational programs and rural-focused policies, to achieve equitable literacy outcomes. This research contributes to understanding the dynamics of gendered literacy development and offers insights for policymakers and educators aiming to close the literacy gap in Pune district. Spatial variation is cause of concern and the study of man-environment relation is became helpful the nature of problem Present paper intends to study the changing trend of literacy in the study area form 1951-2021 and its comparison with state and national average the data has been collected from secondary sources like, District Census Handbooks, 2001 & 2011Pune district, Table on Houses, Household Amenities and Assets, Series 28, Maharashtra of Census of India, 2001 & 2011, Socio-Economic Review and ...