LAUNCHED 2015 • URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Smart Cities Mission

Building 100 citizen-friendly, sustainable cities.

2015
Year Launched
100
Smart Cities
MoHUA
Lead Ministry
📌 Why It Matters

Rapid urbanisation makes city planning crucial. The Smart Cities Mission combines technology, sustainability and citizen participation — a core urban-governance topic frequently asked in prelims and interviews.

The Smart Cities Mission was launched on 25 June 2015 with the objective of developing 100 cities across the country, making them citizen-friendly and sustainable. It focuses on core infrastructure, a clean environment and the application of ‘smart’ solutions to improve the quality of urban life.

🎯 Key Objectives

  • Provide core infrastructure and a decent quality of life to citizens.
  • Promote sustainable and inclusive urban development.
  • Apply smart, technology-based solutions to urban problems.
  • Drive economic growth and improve service delivery in cities.

📋 Key Facts

Launched 25 June 2015
Lead Ministry Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Number of Cities 100
Implementation Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for each city
⚡ Exam Pointers
  • Launched in 2015 to develop 100 smart cities.
  • Implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for each city.
  • Two approaches: area-based development & pan-city solutions.

📝 Practice MCQs

Test Yourself — 5 Questions

Q1. In which year was the Smart Cities Mission launched?

a) 2014   b) 2015   c) 2016   d) 2017

✔ Answer: b) 2015

Q2. How many cities are to be developed under the mission?

a) 50   b) 75   c) 100   d) 500

✔ Answer: c) 100

Q3. Which ministry implements the Smart Cities Mission?

a) Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs   b) Ministry of Rural Development   c) Ministry of Finance   d) Ministry of Road Transport

✔ Answer: a) Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs

Q4. Each smart city is implemented through a:

a) Municipal Board   b) Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)   c) Gram Panchayat   d) State Cabinet

✔ Answer: b) Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)

Q5. The two key approaches of the mission are area-based development and:

a) Pan-city solutions   b) Rural focus   c) Tourism circuits   d) Port development

✔ Answer: a) Pan-city solutions