India Highlights SVAMITVA Program at World Bank Land Conference
India showcased its commitment to inclusive land governance at the World Bank Land Conference 2025 in Washington D.C. During the event, Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, highlighted India’s advancements in land rights and tenure reforms. He emphasized the success of the SVAMITVA Scheme, which aims to empower rural communities through technology-driven land governance. The conference served as a platform for India to share its innovative approaches and engage in global discussions on land tenure challenges.
India’s Leadership in Land Governance
At the World Bank Land Conference, India took a prominent role as a Country Champion. Shri Vivek Bharadwaj addressed the plenary session on May 6, 2025, discussing the nationโs strides in land tenure and governance reform. He articulated how India has positioned itself as a leader in land rights, emphasizing the importance of technology in spatial planning. The Secretary’s insights were particularly focused on the SVAMITVA Scheme, which has transformed rural land governance by providing legal titles to millions of families. This initiative not only enhances land ownership but also unlocks significant economic potential for rural communities.
The SVAMITVA Scheme: A Transformational Initiative
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s leadership, the SVAMITVA Scheme has emerged as a groundbreaking initiative in rural land governance. Shri Bharadwaj elaborated on the scheme’s implementation, which includes onboarding states, amending laws, and establishing technological infrastructure for accurate mapping. The initiative has surveyed 68,000 square kilometers of rural land, unlocking assets valued at $1.16 trillion. This has provided legal titles to rural families, enabling them to access credit and improve their livelihoods. Through real-life examples, such as a dairy farmer in Madhya Pradesh and a mother in Rajasthan, he illustrated how land ownership translates into empowerment and economic growth.
Global Engagement and Future Directions
The conference featured a special event on May 7, 2025, titled โSecuring Land Rights for a Billion People.โ This session aimed to amplify Indiaโs model of inclusive land governance. It included presentations from key figures, such as Dr. Klaus W. Deininger from the World Bank, and focused on the design and impact of the SVAMITVA Scheme. The event provided a platform for cross-regional dialogue, allowing delegates from various countries to explore collaborative opportunities in land administration. The discussions aimed to inspire nations with similar land governance challenges to adopt Indiaโs successful strategies.
Advancements in Spatial Planning
On May 8, 2025, the focus shifted to Gram Manchitra, Indiaโs advanced GIS-based spatial planning platform. Shri Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, presented how this platform supports informed decision-making at the Panchayat level. By integrating cutting-edge technology with grassroots governance, India aims to foster sustainable and resilient village development. The countryโs initiatives at the conference not only serve as a model for participatory land governance but also align with global goals to ensure legal ownership and control over land for vulnerable communities. Through its active participation, India has established itself as a thought leader in land tenure reforms and inclusive governance.
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