Synopsis Education is the catalyst factor, which leads to human resource development comprising better health, nutrition, improved socio-economic opportunities and more congenial and beneficial natural environment for all. It is well-recognised by policy planners as well as educationists that elementary education is one of the most substantive and critical inputs for the development of child. Over the last five decades, India has taken long strides in the development and spread of educational facilities. However, we are still not able to provide all our children free and compulsory education and the scenario of girls' literacy is far more disappointing. The ground realities of achieving the goal of universalisation of education differ from state to state and from society to society. Against this background, the present book is an attempt to find out the impact of various schemes related to elementary education and scenario of girls’ literacy in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh-the two states recognised by the Planning Commission as ‘educationally forward’ and 'educationally backward' respectively. This book will be useful for policy planners, academicians and intellects interested in elementary education and girls' education.