India’s Global Role in Land Governance
India to Present SVAMITVA Scheme at World Bank’s 2025 Land Conference: India is poised to showcase its pioneering efforts in digital land reforms at the World Bank Land Conference 2025, scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., from May 5 to 8. Led by Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the Indian delegation will present the SVAMITVA Scheme and Gram Manchitra platform as transformative initiatives that use geospatial and drone-based mapping to empower rural populations and contribute to climate-resilient governance.
The SVAMITVA Scheme’s Transformative Impact
The SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) Scheme aims to provide legal property ownership to rural households through drone-based mapping and high-resolution geospatial data. To date, it has benefited over 24.4 million households in 1.6 lakh villages, unlocking land assets valued at $1.162 trillion. This initiative enhances property rights, tax collection efficiency, and village-level infrastructure planning, aligning with India’s goal of inclusive, tech-driven development.
Gram Manchitra: Planning with Precision
Building upon the geospatial data collected via SVAMITVA, the Gram Manchitra platform allows for informed and precise village-level planning. It is used to identify suitable sites for solar power, design disaster-resilient infrastructure, and guide land use decisions. This platform has become a powerful governance tool that integrates climate action with rural development, showcasing India’s innovative use of digital mapping for sustainable outcomes.
India’s Presentation at the Conference
During the conference, Shri Vivek Bharadwaj will address the plenary session on rural property rights and SDG goals. Shri Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary of MoPR, will lead a technical session focused on using platforms like Gram Manchitra for climate action and disaster risk reduction. India’s participation emphasizes its push for South-South cooperation, inviting other developing nations to adopt its successful models in land governance and rural empowerment.
Static GK Snapshot for Exams
India to Present SVAMITVA Scheme at World Bank’s 2025 Land Conference:
| Topic | Details |
| Why in the news? | India showcasing SVAMITVA at World Bank Land Conference 2025 |
| Event | World Bank Land Conference, May 5–8, 2025 |
| Location | Washington, D.C., USA |
| Key Indian Delegates | Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Shri Alok Prem Nagar |
| Scheme Highlighted | SVAMITVA Scheme |
| Platform Demonstrated | Gram Manchitra |
| SVAMITVA Impact | 24.4 million households, $1.162 trillion land value mapped |
| Technology Used | Drone-based survey, high-resolution geospatial data |
| Focus Areas | Legal land tenure, climate action, rural planning, disaster resilience |
| India’s Role | Leader in digital land reforms and global rural governance cooperation |
