The State of Maharashtra has the largest economy in the country. Its Gross Domestic Product (GSDP) at current prices stood at Rs.3,71,877 crore in the year 2004-05. The State roughly accounted for 13 per cent of the national income. It had the fifth highest per capita income in the country at Rs.36,423. However, the GSDP at constant prices posted a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CARG) of 3.77 per cent during 1994-2005, lower than all-India CARG of 6.24 per cent.

Maharashtra is highly urbanised - 42 per cent of the population lives in cities - and it is high on literacy with 77 per cent of the population above seven years being literate. With a total population of 9.7 crore, that makes Maharashtra a large market of urbanised and literate population. Seven cities in Maharashtra had a population of more than a million. Even the slums of Maharashtra had a literacy rate of 81 per cent.

The State is largely fuelled by growth in the services sector. Mumbai, the State's capital is the country's financial and business capital. Most large business houses of India are headquartered in Mumbai. The Reserve Bank of India, the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the National Stock Exchange and other major financial institutions and regulators are located in Mumbai in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra is also a major industrial hub. It is among the top States in terms of fresh investments. Major industries of Maharashtra are

• Textiles
• Automobiles
• Chemicals

The Monthly Review of Maharashtra Economy brings to you a regularly updated analysis of the recent trends in the State. It covers all the major sectors in detail. It presents data, charts, news and analysis.

The Monthly Review of the Maharashtra Economy is part of the State Analysis Service.