Why in News: For Census 2027, RGI has proposed retaining the 2011 definition of “urban” (statutory towns + census towns). It raises concerns of undercounting India’s true urban population and neglecting peri-urban growth.
Current Definition (2011)
1. Statutory Towns – Notified by State governments; governed by ULBs (municipal corporations, councils, nagar panchayats).
2. Census Towns – Meet three criteria:
- Population ≥ 5,000.
- 75% male main workers in non-agriculture.
- Population density ≥ 400 persons/sq. km.
- Remain administratively rural.
Limitations
- Binary Classification – Ignores spectrum between rural and urban.
- Governance Gap – Census towns stay under Panchayats, limiting autonomy, finance, and urban planning.
Outdated Criteria –
- 75% male workforce rule ignores women’s informal/unpaid work.
- Seasonal and gig-economy jobs blur rural–urban divide.
- Undercounting – Studies show true 2011 urban population could be 35–57% vs official 31%.
Case Study
- West Bengal – 526 new census towns (2011), yet 251 identified in 2001 not municipalised even after a decade.
Implications
- Misclassification excludes millions from urban governance, infrastructure, and services.
- Peri-urban settlements become unplanned clusters, worsening inequality, migration stress, and resource allocation.
Way Forward
- Revise definition: factor in population density, commuting patterns, female participation, mixed livelihoods.
- Recognise peri-urban clusters and fast-track municipalisation.
- Align Census with ground realities for better policy, planning, and SDG monitoring.
Conclusion
Retaining a rigid definition risks undercounting urbanisation, perpetuating misgovernance. A nuanced, inclusive framework is essential for balanced development.
UPSC Relevance
GS Paper 1 (Urbanisation): Patterns of settlement, growth of towns, and impact on society.
Mains Practice Question
Q. “The current Census definition of ‘urban’ fails to capture India’s rapidly transforming settlements, leading to misclassification and governance gaps. Critically examine the limitations of the existing definition and suggest measures for a more realistic framework.” (250 words)