Maharashtra has 1.7 cr illiterate people, reveals survey

About 1.70 crore people in Maharashtra are illiterate, of which 69.2% are women, according to the economic survey 2011-12 which was tabled in the state legislature today.

The literacy (those below seven years not considered) has increased from 76.9% in 2001 to 82.9% in 2011. At the national level, literacy has increased from 64.8% in 2001 to 74% in 2011-12 .

Yet, among the states, Maharashtra stands in the 12th position now, while it was ranked 10th as per the 2001 census.

Tripura and Himachal Pradesh have surpassed Maharashtra in the last decade.

Male literacy in the state is 89.8%, female literacy is 75.5%. The gap between male and female literacy is narrowing. It was 29.5 percentage points in 1961, now it is 14.3 percentage points.

Literacy is highest in Mumbai suburban district (90.9%) and lowest in tribal-dominated Nandurbar (63%).