India Showcases Rural Governance Innovations at World Bank Land Conference 2025

India made a strong and strategic impression at the World Bank Land Conference 2025, held from May 5 to 8 in Washington D.C., by assuming the prominent role of a Country Champion. Spearheaded by Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), India’s delegation spotlighted its transformative land governance and rural development programs, specifically the SVAMITVA Scheme and the Gram Manchitra platform. These initiatives drew global acclaim as cutting-edge examples of technology-enabled, inclusive rural governance.

India as Country Champion: Leadership and Strategic Influence

As a Country Champion, India played a pivotal role in shaping conference discussions and facilitating knowledge exchange on land reform, tenure security, and climate resilience. Shri Vivek Bharadwaj led the Indian delegation, articulating the country's vision and showcasing its innovative models that are not only reformative but also scalable across developing nations.

India’s leadership was particularly recognized in steering collaborative discussions, fostering South-South cooperation, and presenting policy frameworks that bridge rural planning with sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Spotlight on SVAMITVA Scheme: Empowering Rural India Through Land Ownership

A highlight of India’s participation was the Plenary Session on “Good Practices and Challenges in Land Tenure and Governance Reform,” where the SVAMITVA Scheme (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) was centerstage. This flagship initiative, launched by the Government of India, aims to provide rural landowners with legal ownership of their residential properties.

Key outcomes shared at the conference included:

• 68,000 sq. km of rural land surveyed using advanced drone technology.

• Rs. 1.16 trillion in land assets monetized through formal recognition of ownership.

• Tangible improvements in women’s empowerment, credit accessibility, and livelihood enhancement for small farmers and entrepreneurs.

India emphasized how formal land records are enabling residents to leverage their property for loans, investment, and legal security. Real-life testimonials from beneficiaries across rural India provided compelling narratives of transformation and inclusion.

High-Level Special Session: “Securing Land Rights for a Billion People”

Another major event led by the MoPR was the special session on “Securing Land Rights for a Billion People.” Attended by global policymakers, World Bank officials, and international delegates, this session showcased India's comprehensive implementation of the SVAMITVA Scheme—from drone-based surveys to property card distribution, backed by legal frameworks and institutional collaboration.

The session illustrated how secure land ownership can act as a catalyst for rural development, social equity, and public service delivery, positioning India as a global leader in participatory governance.

Gram Manchitra Platform: Powering Climate Resilience and Local Planning

On May 8, the technical session titled “Establishing the Land Foundation for Climate Action and Disaster Risk Management” featured an impactful presentation by Shri Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary, MoPR. He introduced the Gram Manchitra platform, a GIS-based spatial planning tool tailored for Gram Panchayats.

This tool allows panchayats to:

• Create data-driven, location-specific development plans.

• Integrate with multiple government schemes, fostering infrastructure convergence.

• Promote climate resilience through informed planning for water management, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable resource use.

Shri Nagar’s presentation emphasized the platform’s relevance to the Global South, highlighting its replicability in other low- and middle-income countries. He also advocated for capacity building, financial incentives, and community participation as critical enablers of success.

Global Recognition and Collaboration

India’s contributions were widely acknowledged as models for replication, especially in countries seeking integrated, community-led land governance systems. The World Bank, along with multiple international stakeholders, expressed interest in collaborating with India to adapt these tools and frameworks in other developing contexts.

India’s strategic presence at the World Bank Land Conference 2025 not only demonstrated its commitment to digital governance and rural empowerment, but also reinforced its emerging role as a thought leader in global land reform and disaster preparedness strategies.