Urbanisation, rural development, and migration

India’s development hinges on the interaction between urbanisation, rural transformation, and migration, which together shape economic growth, inclusion, and climate resilience. • Urban areas are growing rapidly but face infrastructure, governance, and environmental challenges, while rural regions struggle with stagnant incomes and limited opportunities. • Migration serves as both a coping mechanism and a pathway to opportunity, but migrants face systemic barriers in cities, especially in accessing services and protections. • Local governance institutions are under-equipped to manage complex transitions, with gaps in planning, service delivery, and fiscal autonomy. • Urban poverty needs to be better understood, especially as migration places increasing pressure on city systems. To ensure cities can accommodate expanding populations while promoting equity, they must be better equipped to deliver affordable housing, inclusive public services, and dignified livelihoods. This paper calls for integrated, evidence-based policies and research to address cross-cutting issues and support inclusive, climate-resilient development across urban and rural India.