India’s Rural Governance Model Earns Global Recognition at World Bank Land Conference 2025

The World Bank Land Conference 2025, held in Washington D.C. from May 5 to 8, concluded with widespread appreciation for India’s innovative rural governance initiatives. As a Country Champion, India showcased its flagship programs—the SVAMITVA Scheme and the Gram Manchitra platform—garnering international interest in their scalability and impact.  

The SVAMITVA Scheme, which formalizes land ownership in rural areas through drone surveys and digital property cards, was highlighted for its role in economic empowerment, women’s rights, and secure land tenure. With 68,000 square kilometers surveyed and ₹1.16 trillion worth of land monetized, experts recognized its potential as a global model for land governance.  

The Gram Manchitra platform, a geospatial planning tool, was praised for its contributions to climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and local governance. The technical session on land governance for climate action emphasized its ability to facilitate data-driven infrastructure development and scheme convergence at the village level.  

India’s leadership in rural governance was further reinforced through plenary discussions on land tenure security, climate action, and digital transformation. Representatives from various countries expressed keen interest in adopting India’s digital land governance practices, signaling strong international collaboration opportunities.  

Sources: MSN India, Pragativadi, Devdiscourse, NewsX, Press Information Bureau, SP News Agency