India's slow pace of urbanisation poses significant challenges to its economic and social progress. Examine the factors responsible for this trend.

While India has reached 36% urban population, this is slow compared to developing countries like China (>50%)

This poses challenges:

Economic challenges:

Dependency on agriculture in rural areas

75% pop. in agriculture

Hinders financial security and inclusion

Rural digital divide

Disguised unemployment in rural areas

Hinders economic output

Social challenges:

Low quality of life dich reduced access to healthcare & education

Rural digital divide → Reduced social mobility

Regressive social practices (like early marriage, caste discrimination etc. persist)

Challenges: Factors responsible:

Urbanization is crucial to achieving SDG-3 and SDG-6 and steps such as PM Awas Yojana and PM Udaan are promising steps towards Viksit Bharat-2047.

— Varun Tokas · AIR 117