Subject: Governance | Topic: Urban Development
Sub-topic: Smart Cities Mission (SCM), Area-Based Development, Pan-City Solutions
Prelims Focus: Number of cities selected, funding pattern, mission timeline
Mains Focus: Assessment of outcomes, role of SPVs, integrated urban planning
EXAMINER REASONING
Smart Cities Mission illustrates India's approach to urbanisation. Prelims covers the number of cities and selection criteria (competition — Smart City Challenge). Mains questions examine whether the mission has delivered on its promise of "smart" urbanisation and the criticism that it is top-down and infrastructure-heavy.
Core Concept
The Smart Cities Mission (SCM) was launched on June 25, 2015 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). It aims to promote cities that provide core infrastructure, a clean and sustainable environment, and a decent quality of life using smart solutions.
Selection Process
First stage: City-wide competition based on Smart City Proposal (SCP).
Number of cities: 100 cities selected (originally 100; actual 99 including Shimla).
Selection rounds: 4 rounds between 2015 and 2017.
Funding: ₹100 crore per city per year for 5 years (total central outlay ~₹48,000 crore; matched by state/ULB = ~₹1 lakh crore total).
Core Infrastructure Elements
Adequate water supply
Assured electricity supply
Sanitation (incl. solid waste management)
Efficient urban mobility and public transport
Affordable housing (especially for poor)
Robust IT connectivity and digitalisation
Good governance (e-governance, citizen participation)
Sustainable environment
Safety and security of citizens (CCTVs, ICCC)
Health and education
Two Implementation Models
Area-Based Development (ABD): Retrofitting / redevelopment / Greenfield development of a specific area (e.g., 500 acres).
Coordination: NITI Aayog + MoHUA + State Govts + ULBs.
SCM extension: Extended twice (2021, 2023); final completion target June 2026.
PYQ Table
Year
Question
Marks
2023
"The Smart Cities Mission has failed to address the challenges of rapid urbanisation." Critically evaluate.
15
2021
What is the SPV model in the Smart Cities Mission? Analyse its advantages and disadvantages.
12
2020
Which of the following is not a feature of the Smart Cities Mission? (Prelims)
2
2018
Discuss the role of the Smart Cities Mission in promoting urban sustainability.
10
2016
"Smart Cities are not merely about hardware but about changing urban governance." Explain.
10
Statement Elimination Guide
"All 100 smart cities have completed their projects." → False. ~70% completion by 2025–26; some cities are behind.
"Smart Cities Mission provides 100% central funding." → False. 50:50 centre-state/ULB share for SPV projects.
"The mission is exclusively about ICT infrastructure." → False. It covers core infrastructure, environment, governance, and social infrastructure.
"Smart Cities Mission replaced the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM)." → False. JNNURM (2005–14) was a predecessor; SCM is a separate mission. Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) ran parallel to SCM.
Current Affairs Hook
2025: Smart City Mission extended to June 2026; review by NITI Aayog.
2024: MoHUA launches "SCM 2.0" concept based on learnings – focus on smaller towns.
2023: National Smart City Conclave (Indore) – best practices shared.
2022: India's Smart Cities framework now being exported (Africa, Central Asia).
2021: ICCC integration with CO-WIN for pandemic management.
2020: COVID response – IC3s used for ambulance tracking, food delivery.
Interlinkages
AMRUT: Complements SCM with water supply and sewerage in all 4,000+ urban centres.
PM Awas Yojana (Urban): Affordable housing for urban poor; integrated with SCM.