UPSC Prelims 2003 Q74: Indian Economy – Human Development, Poverty & Employment Schemes
Which one among the following States has the highest female literacy rate as per the
Census 2001?
- (a) Chhattisgarh
- (b) Madhya Pradesh
- (c) Orissa
- (d) Rajasthan
Answer: (a) Chhattisgarh
Explanation
Female literacy rate by State (Census 2001)
| State | Female literacy |
|---|---|
| Chhattisgarh | About 51.9%, the highest of the four |
| Orissa | About 50.5% |
| Madhya Pradesh | About 50.3% |
| Rajasthan | About 44.3% |
Among the four, Chhattisgarh had the highest female literacy rate in Census 2001.
Answer: (a) Chhattisgarh.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Chhattisgarh had about 51.9%.
- (b) Incorrect. Madhya Pradesh had about 50.3%.
- (c) Incorrect. Orissa had about 50.5%.
- (d) Incorrect. Rajasthan had about 44.3%, the lowest of the four.
Key point
Female literacy 2001: Kerala 87.9%, Mizoram, Goa; lowest Bihar 33.6%.
Remember
Chhattisgarh had the highest female literacy among these four States.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Rajasthan because of its overall rank.
- Mixing female literacy with male literacy.
- Forgetting that Chhattisgarh was formed in 2000.
Exam tip
Chhattisgarh led the four by about 1.4 points.
Sources
- Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India — Census of India 2001: Provisional Population Totals, Paper 1 (literacy rates of States)
- NCERT Class XII Geography — India: People and Economy — Population: Distribution, Density, Growth and Composition