The correct answer is (b) 16.68 percent.
According to the provisional figures of Census 2011, the literacy rate in India is 74.04%. The male literacy rate is 82.14% and the female literacy rate is 65.46%. The gap between male and female literacy rates is 16.68%.
The gap between male and female literacy rates has been narrowing over the years. In 1951, the gap was 27.8%. It has narrowed to 16.68% in 2011. This is a positive sign, but there is still a long way to go.
There are a number of factors that contribute to the gap between male and female literacy rates. One factor is that girls are more likely to drop out of school than boys. Another factor is that girls are less likely to be enrolled in school in the first place. There are also cultural factors that contribute to the gap, such as the belief that girls do not need to be educated as much as boys.
There are a number of things that can be done to narrow the gap between male and female literacy rates. One is to make education more accessible to girls. This can be done by building more schools in rural areas and providing scholarships for girls to attend school. Another is to change the cultural attitudes towards girls’ education. This can be done through awareness campaigns and by involving community leaders.
Narrowing the gap between male and female literacy rates is important for a number of reasons. It will help to improve the lives of girls and women. It will also help to improve the economy of India. A more educated workforce is a more productive workforce.