Source: The post India’s urban definition is failing its growing towns has been created, based on the article “Why India’s urban definition is failing its growing towns” published in “The Hindu” on 26 September 2025. India’s urban definition is failing its growing towns.
UPSC Syllabus: GS-2- Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation.
Context: The definition of urban areas in India, as outlined in the 2011 Census, is based on two categories: statutory towns and census towns. However, this binary classification fails to accommodate the complexities of urban growth in semi-rural and transitional areas.
Current Definition of Urban Areas
- The 2011 Census classified urban units as either a statutory town or a census town.
- Statutory towns are officially notified as urban by the state government.
- Census towns are those with a male main working population engaged in non-agricultural activities and a population density of at least 400 persons per square kilometre.
Limitations of the Current Urban Definition
- Narrow Criteria: The existing definition primarily considers a male workforce engaged in non-agricultural activities, which overlooks the broader reality of urban employment trends. The focus on male workers and population density as sole indicators neglects the growing number of women and informal workers, who form a significant part of the urban economy.
- Exclusion of Semi-Urban Areas: Areas that do not meet the formal criteria may be left out of the urban classification, despite showing clear signs of urban traits such as growing industries and service sectors.
- Panchayat vs Urban Local Bodies: Urban local bodies have more autonomy and control over finances compared to Panchayat Raj institutions, which are limited to implementing rural development programs. As a result, towns that should have urban governance structures continue to function under outdated rural models.
- Urbanization in India and the Role of Census Towns: Rapid urbanisation is transforming rural areas into urban-like settlements, but many remain classified as rural, resulting in gaps in infrastructure, resource allocation, and governance.
Way Forward:
- Need for a Revised Urban Definition: As India prepares for the 2027 Census, it is crucial to redefine urban areas by focusing on population size, density, and economic activities beyond just a male workforce. A more nuanced framework will help capture the complexities of urbanisation.
- Incorporate Socio-Economic Indicators: The urban definition should include factors like diverse employment types, service availability, and the role of women in the workforce ensuring a more accurate representation of emerging urban regions.
- Update Governance Framework: Census towns functioning as urban areas should be given statutory recognition and empowered local urban bodies for better governance and responsiveness.
- Adopt Urban-Rural Continuum: Replace the urban-rural divide with a continuum approach, recognizing varying stages of urbanisation for more tailored infrastructure and service planning.
- Ensure Gender-Inclusive Urban Planning: Urban planning should account for contributions from women, informal workers, and marginalized groups promoting equitable development.
- Regular Reassessment: Urban definitions and census methods must be regularly updated to keep pace with dynamic urban growth ensuring effective planning and resource allocation.
Question: Critically evaluate the limitations of India’s current urban classification system and suggest a way forward to better address the evolving nature of urbanisation in the country.
