A metropolitan city in India is defined as an urban agglomeration with a population of 10 lakh (1 million) or more, as per the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (1992). India has several metropolitan cities. The four largest are Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai — historically called the 'four metros.' India's urban population is managed through Metropolitan Planning Committees under Article 243ZE.
Metropolitan city in India = population of 10 lakh+ (74th Constitutional Amendment, 1992).
Four traditional metros: Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai.
Largest metro by population: Mumbai Metropolitan Region (1.84 crore, 2011).
India had 53 million-plus cities as per 2011 Census.
Three megacities (>1 crore): Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata.
Article 243ZE — Metropolitan Planning Committee for governing metro areas.
Definition: • Metropolitan area = population of 10 lakh (1 million) or more • As per 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 • Article 243P(c) defines 'Metropolitan area' as having 10 lakh+ population • Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC) = body for planning (Article 243ZE)
Major Metropolitan Cities of India (2011 Census Urban Agglomeration):
| City | State | Population (2011 Census) |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai (MMR) | Maharashtra | 1.84 crore |
| Delhi (NCR) | Delhi | 1.63 crore |
| Kolkata (KMA) | West Bengal | 1.41 crore |
| Chennai (CMA) | Tamil Nadu | 0.87 crore |
| Bengaluru | Karnataka | 0.84 crore |
| Hyderabad | Telangana/AP | 0.77 crore |
| Ahmedabad | Gujarat | 0.63 crore |
| Pune | Maharashtra | 0.50 crore |
| Surat | Gujarat | 0.45 crore |
| Jaipur | Rajasthan | 0.30 crore |
Four Traditional Metros (Historical):
New Metro Cities Added (High-Growth): • Bengaluru — India's IT capital (Silicon Valley of India) • Hyderabad — Cyberabad, pharma hub • Ahmedabad — textile and diamond trade • Pune — auto, IT, education city
Urban India Key Facts (2011 Census): • 31% of India's population lived in urban areas • 53 cities had population >10 lakh (million-plus cities) • India has 3 'megacities' (>10 million): Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata
Governance: • Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) — richest municipal body in India • Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) govern metro cities • Smart Cities Mission — 100 cities selected for smart development
A metropolitan city in India is an urban area with population of 10 lakh or more (74th Amendment, 1992). Major metros include: Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai (four traditional metros), and newer ones like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Pune. As of 2011 Census, India had 53 million-plus cities. Mumbai is the largest with over 1.84 crore in its urban agglomeration.
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