Sex ratio is the most vital and basic demographic characteristics of a population which influences the marriage
pattern, growth rate of population and occupation structure. A huge masculine sex ratio is one of the crucial demographic
characteristics of the Indian subcontinent. Being industrially developed and economically progressive state Maharashtra depicts
the masculine sex ratio. During the last century Maharashtra state has experienced dramatically decrease in sex ratio which is
alarming for the overall socio-economic health of society. This paper tries to explain the trend of sex ratio during the last
century from 1901 to 2011 in the state of Maharashtra. In the first half-century (1901to 1951 census years) 16 districts show
negative sex variation less than 20 on the other hand only 3 districts have positive sex variation more than 20. This picture of the
sex ratio becomes grimmer in the second half of the century.
