Urban and Rural Area Definitions in India
The current binary definition of urban and rural areas in India is outdated and fails to capture the complex and evolving nature of Indian settlements. This binary definition ignores the spectrum of settlements that exist between urban and rural areas, which could affect future planning and service provision.
Census Definition and Implications
- An urban unit is defined in the Census as a statutory town or a census town.
- Statutory Towns: Areas formally notified as urban by State governments with urban local bodies such as municipal corporations, municipal councils, and nagar panchayats.
- Census Towns: Areas with a minimum population of 5,000, at least 75% of the male main working population in non-agricultural activities, and a population density of 400 persons per sq. km. These towns remain administratively rural but function as urban areas.
Challenges with Current Definitions
- The binary definition fails to recognize settlements that lie between rural and urban categories, often leading to misclassification and gaps in resource allocation.
- Many rapidly urbanizing settlements, such as census towns and peri-urban regions, remain under rural governance, lacking the infrastructure and services typical of urban governance.
Case Study: West Bengal
- In West Bengal, a significant number of settlements classified as census towns in 2001 remained under rural governance by 2011.
- The state saw 526 new census towns identified in 2011, although 251 from 2001 saw no change in governance status, highlighting a lag in recognizing urban characteristics.
Research and Recommendations
- A 2019 research paper stressed the importance of population size and density in defining urban areas. It showed that different density thresholds could significantly alter urban population estimates.
- The study suggested that India's urban population in 2011 could be between 35% and 57%, higher than the official estimate of 31%.
Outdated Criteria and Consequences
- The 75% male workforce criterion is outdated and fails to reflect modern employment patterns, such as gig economy jobs and women's informal work.
- Rigid definitions risk misclassifying areas, undercounting urbanized populations, and excluding settlements from proper governance and services.
As India prepares for the 2027 Census, it is critical to revise the definition of urban areas to better reflect the dynamic settlement patterns and ensure accurate planning, infrastructure development, and inclusion.