---
title: "Urbanisation in India: Trends & UPSC Notes | Model Diplomat"
description: "Urbanisation in India refers to the shift of population from rural to urban areas, with 31.16% urban at the 2011 Census, impacting policy and development."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/urbanisation-in-india"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Urbanisation in India is the demographic and spatial process by which population, economic activity, and settlement shift from rural areas to towns and cities.
- How does the Census of India distinguish a statutory town from a census town?
- What was India's level of urbanisation at the last completed census?
- Why do scholars argue India is more urbanised than official figures suggest?
- What constitutional provision governs urban local bodies in India?

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

Urbanisation in India is the demographic and spatial process by which population, economic activity, and settlement shift from rural areas to towns and cities.

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The Census of India recorded the country's urban population at 31.16 per cent in 2011, with the number of census towns nearly tripling to 3,894, signalling rapid in situ urbanisation of formerly rural settlements.

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