Use of Disparity Index for Identifying Rural - Urban Literacy Pattern of Pune District, Maharashtra

Literacy has been considered as one of the prime indicators for socio-economic development of the people of a region. In world scenario, spread of literacy is generally associated with importance of modern civilization such as modernization, urbanization, industrialization, communication and commerce. Literacy rate of any district, state and country reflects the social, economic and political status of respective region. Literacy rate vary from region to region and it increases with time. According to the 2011, Census of India, average literacy rate of India is 74.04 % and average literacy rate of Maharashtra state is 82.91 %. In Maharashtra, uneven spatial distribution of literacy rate in all districts during the year of 2011. In Maharashtra, especially in Pune District, there is significant variation in rural - urban literacy rate and male - female literacy rate due to cities attract large number of male for education as well as job opportunities. The male-female literacy disparity as well as rural-urban literacy variation is witness to be highly variable throughout the district. Therefore, the present study is attempts to identifying rural - urban literacy pattern of Pune district, Maharashtra using disparity index technique. This study is to investigate the tahsil-wise disparity of rural - urban literacy in Pune District during 2001 to 2011. The data source for this paper is from district statistical handbook and census. The methodology adopted is mainly statistical analysis where the rural- urban distribution of literacy has been measured with the help Disparity Index.