What are ‘Smart Cities’? Examine their relevance for urban development in India. Will it increase rural- urban differences? Give arguments for ’Smart Villages’ in the light of PURA and RURBAN Mission.

Theme

T57 Smart cities, rural–urban integration & urban transport

What UPSC asks in this theme

UPSC asks about Smart Cities Mission objectives, smart villages, rural-urban integration (PURA, RURBAN), and urban transport.

What to cover

• Smart Cities Mission: area-based development, pan-city solutions
• PURA and Shyama Prasad Mukherji RURBAN Mission
• Rural-urban continuum

Writing the answer

• Link to urban local governance (74th Amendment)

These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 4 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.