India is set to showcase its transformative SVAMITVA Scheme and Gram Manchitra platform at the World Bank Land Conference 2025, held from May 5-8, 2025, at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, D.C. This event is a critical topic for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, Banking, and State PCS, as it highlights India’s leadership in digital land governance, rural empowerment, and climate-responsive policies. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the key details for exam preparation.
World Bank Land Conference 2025: Overview
The conference, themed “Securing Land Tenure and Access for Climate Action: Moving from Awareness to Action”, brings together global leaders, policymakers, experts, and development partners to discuss strategies for secure land tenure, modernized land administration, and sustainable development. Key features include:
- Duration: May 5-8, 2025
- Location: World Bank Headquarters, Washington, D.C., USA
- Agenda: High-level plenary sessions, regional workshops, thematic exchanges, and an innovation expo focusing on land governance, geospatial technologies, and climate resilience
- SDG Focus: Contributes to SDG Target 1.4.2 (secure tenure rights with legal documentation and perceived security)
India’s Delegation and Role
A high-level Indian delegation, led by Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), will present the SVAMITVA Scheme and Gram Manchitra platform in two key sessions. The delegation includes:
- Shri Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary, MoPR
- Shri Shailesh Kumar Sinha, Additional Surveyor General, Survey of India
- Senior officials from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh
India’s participation underscores its leadership in South-South collaboration and digital land reforms, building on its hosting of a six-day International Workshop on Land Governance in March 2025, attended by 22 countries.
SVAMITVA Scheme: Key Features
Launched on April 24, 2020, by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. It aims to provide legal ownership of rural properties through advanced technology. Key achievements include:
- Property Cards: Issued to over 24.4 million households across 1.6 lakh villages
- Mapping: Covered over 100 million property parcels using drone-based surveys and geospatial technology
- Economic Impact: Unlocked an estimated $1.162 trillion (approx. ₹100 crore) in land value
- Technology: Utilizes high-resolution drone mapping, a nationwide CORS network (5 cm accuracy), and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools
- Benefits:
- Facilitates property monetization and bank loans
- Reduces property-related disputes
- Supports village-level planning and property tax assessment
- Promotes women’s empowerment through secure land rights
The scheme collaborates with the Survey of India, State Revenue Departments, and State Panchayati Raj Departments, making it a model for inclusive governance.
Gram Manchitra Platform
The Gram Manchitra platform leverages SVAMITVA’s high-resolution spatial data to support:
- Village-Level Planning: Enhances Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP)
- Climate Action: Identifies sites for solar energy projects
- Disaster Risk Management: Aids in mitigation and infrastructure planning
- Rural Development: Optimizes resource allocation and tax administration
This platform exemplifies India’s commitment to tech-driven, climate-aligned governance.
India’s Sessions at the Conference
India will participate in two key sessions, highlighting SVAMITVA’s global relevance:
1. Plenary Session: “Good Practices and Challenges in Land Tenure and Governance Reform” (May 6, 2025)
- Lead: Shri Vivek Bharadwaj (Country Champion)
- Focus: SVAMITVA’s impact on rural property rights, women’s empowerment, dispute resolution, and alignment with SDG Target 1.4.2
- Significance: Contributes to global discussions on scalable land tenure solutions
2. Technical Session: “Establishing the Land Foundation for Climate Action and Disaster Risk Management” (May 8, 2025)
- Lead: Shri Alok Prem Nagar
- Focus: Gram Manchitra’s role in village planning, solar energy site selection, disaster mitigation, and rural infrastructure
- Significance: Showcases India’s use of geospatial data for climate resilience
Why It Matters for Competitive Exams
The SVAMITVA Scheme and India’s participation in the World Bank Land Conference 2025 are critical for current affairs and general studies sections. Key reasons include:
- Digital Governance: SVAMITVA’s use of drones and geospatial technology aligns with India’s Digital India initiative.
- Rural Empowerment: The scheme promotes economic stability, women’s empowerment, and dispute resolution, contributing to Viksit Bharat.
- Global Leadership: India’s role in South-South collaboration and land governance reform highlights its growing influence in international forums.
- Climate Action: Gram Manchitra’s applications in disaster management and renewable energy align with global climate goals.
- SDG Relevance: Supports SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) through secure land tenure and sustainable planning.
Exam-Relevant Points to Memorize
For quick revision, focus on these key facts:
- Event: World Bank Land Conference 2025 (May 5-8, Washington, D.C.)
- Theme: Securing Land Tenure and Access for Climate Action
- Scheme: SVAMITVA (launched April 24, 2020)
- Achievements: 24.4 million property cards, 1.6 lakh villages, $1.162 trillion land value unlocked
- Platform: Gram Manchitra (supports planning, climate action, disaster management)
- Delegation Leader: Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, MoPR
- Key Sessions:
- Plenary: Good Practices in Land Tenure (May 6)
- Technical: Climate Action and Disaster Management (May 8)
- SDG Target: 1.4.2 (secure land tenure)
- Technology: Drones, CORS network (5 cm accuracy), GIS
Tips for Aspirants
To excel in questions related to SVAMITVA and the World Bank Land Conference:
- Connect to Broader Themes: Link SVAMITVA to Atmanirbhar Bharat, Digital India, and climate resilience for essay-type questions.
- Memorize Metrics: Focus on property cards (24.4 million), villages (1.6 lakh), and land value ($1.162 trillion) for MCQs.