General Studies Paper 3 Context India’s next Census in 2027 is set to retain the 2011 definition of “urban,” as announced by the Registrar General of India. How India Defines Urban Areas? In the 2011 Census, an urban unit was defined as either a statutory town or a census town. Statutory Towns: Notified by State governments; governed by urban local bodies (municipal corporations, councils, nagar panchayats). Census Towns: Remain administratively rural, but they function like urban areas. It satisfies the following criteria; A minimum population of at least 5,000. At least 75% of the male main working population engaged in....Read More

General Studies Paper -1 Context: India’s urban infrastructure is at a critical juncture, facing numerous challenges as the country continues to urbanize rapidly. With the urban population expected to double from 400 million to 800 million over the next three decades, addressing these challenges is crucial for sustainable urban development. Current Financial Landscape of India’s Urban Infrastructure A recent World Bank report estimates that India aims to require approximately ₹70 lakh crore by 2036 to meet its urban infrastructure needs. Currently, the government invests around ₹3 lakh crore annually in urban infrastructure, which is just over one-fourth of the required....Read More