We have used non-relativistic and relativistic distorted wave approximation methods to study the excitation of then¹D states of magnesium (n = 3), calcium (n = 4) and strontium (n = 5) from the ground n¹S state. Calculations have been performed for the complete set of parameters (σ,$$\tilde L_ \bot ^ + ,\tilde L_ \bot ^ - ,\tilde \gamma ^ + ,\tilde \gamma ^ - $$). The results are presented for electron impact energies of 20 and 40 eV. We compare our results obtained from both the non-relativistic and relativistic methods with each other. Good agreement is found on comparison and the importance of relativistic effects is also explored.