Category Center for Habitat, Urban and Regional Studies

Smart Cities Mission 2015: Transforming Urban India for a Sustainable Future

Launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on June 25, 2015, under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Smart Cities Mission aims to improve the standard of living in 100 carefully chosen cities by offering effective services, strong infrastructure, and a sustainable environment. By concentrating on the social, economic, institutional, and physical pillars of urban development, the mission seeks to advance sustainability, inclusiveness, and economic growth through smart solutions

National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP), 2014:Framework, Implementation and Future Directions

The Government of India revised its National Urban Transport Policy in 2014 to create sustainable urban transport solutions after following the essential structure from its 2006 version.

The Dark Side of Migration: Trafficking of Women for Domestic Labour in Jharkhand  

Migration is often seen as a pathway to better opportunities, but for many women in Jharkhand, it becomes a trap leading to exploitation and violence. Jharkhand is a state with high out-migration rates and witnesses a significant number of women and young girls leaving their villages in search of employment due to poverty and lack of employment. However, the migration process is often contaminated by illegal placement agencies that exploit the vulnerabilities of individuals by using pieces of employment information.  

National Urban Digital Mission (NUDM) 2024: A Framework for Integrated Urban Governance

NUDM was launched as a new scheme in 2024, under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs along with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology,

Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Satellite Towns (UIDSST), 2009

According to the census 2011, nearly 78 million individuals migrated from rural to urban areas. This increase was due to the availability of better opportunities, higher wages, better education and healthcare in the urban areas. This migration along with the naturally increasing population growth and expansion of borders accelerated urbanization.  

Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016: A Critical Appraisal of Reform and Implementation

The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA), represents a landmark legislative intervention by the Indian Parliament, designed to bring about accountability, transparency, and efficiency in the real estate sector. Prior to RERA’s enactment, the sector suffered from systemic irregularities such as project delays, diversion of funds, and the absence of a dedicated dispute resolution mechanism.

Social Security Scheme for Welfare of Online Platform Workers, 2025-26

According to the Niti Aayog report on India's booming gig and platform economy, by 2030, gig workers will constitute approximately 4.1% of India's total workforce, or around 23.5 crore people. Gig workers will now be eligible for the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which is the world’s largest health insurance scheme. Under the AB-PMJAY, the gig workers will be entitled to receive healthcare coverage which is not provided by their employer.

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