---
title: "Internal Migration in India: Patterns & Data"
description: "Internal migration in India refers to the movement of people for work, marriage, or education, impacting around 450 million individuals as of 2011."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/internal-migration-india"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Internal migration in India is the movement of people across district, state, or settlement boundaries within national borders for work, marriage, education, or family, governed by no permit system.
- What is the difference between place of birth and place of last residence in measuring internal migration?
- Why is marriage the largest reason for internal migration in India?
- How many internal migrants does India have?
- Why are seasonal and circular migrants undercounted?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

Internal migration in India is the movement of people across district, state, or settlement boundaries within national borders for work, marriage, education, or family, governed by no permit system.

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During the COVID-19 lockdown announced on 24 March 2020, millions of internal migrant workers walked from Delhi, Mumbai, and Surat toward home villages in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, prompting India's e-Shram registration portal in 2021.

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