The Nāgrika Fellowship is an invitation to see your city with fresh eyes, to connect local knowledge with national conversations as well as conversations in your own city, and to shape more inclusive narratives of India’s urban future. After the success of our first cohort, we are excited to announce that applications are now open for the next cohort of the Nāgrika Fellowship!

The recent Supreme Court ruling directing the capture and sheltering of stray dogs in Delhi-NCR has pushed the issue into sharp national focus. This article explores how such orders clash with existing laws and collide with the fragile realities of city governments already struggling with funds, staff, and facilities. Drawing on local and global lessons, the article argues that humane and effective stray dog management will require a shared approach, where courts, municipalit

Article 280 of Indian Constitution mandates the President to establish a Finance Commission (FC) every five years for advising on revenue sharing between centre, states and cities. Smaller cities under one million population rely heavily on FC grants due to limited revenue and weak infrastructure. Performance-linked funding for these cities rose from nil in earlier FCs to 60% under the 15th FC. However, past FCs have not appropriately estimated the needs and capacities of sma

Small cities aren’t just smaller versions of metros, but distinct ecosystems deserving targeted recognition and interventions.

जिस लोकतंत्र की बुनियाद जनता के वोटों पर टिकी हो, वहां शहर स्तर के चुनाव इतने अदृश्य क्यों हैं? कभी वोटर लिस्ट में नाम ही नहीं होता, तो कभी घोषणापत्रों में सिर्फ़ झूठे और धुंधले वादे होते हैं। नगर निकाय चुनाव अक्सर बिना चर्चा या ध्यान के निकल जाते हैं — जबकि असल में वही हमारे रोज़मर्रा के जीवन को आकार देते हैं। इस चुपचाप चल रही गड़बड़ी और जवाबदेही की धुंधली तस्वीर के बीच शायद अब वक्त आ गया है कि नागरिक सवाल पूछें: हमारे शहरों को असल में चला कौन रहा है?

In a democracy built on the votes of the masses, why do city-level elections remain so invisible? From missing voter names to vague claims in manifestos, municipal polls often slip by unnoticed, even as they shape our everyday lives. Amidst the quiet dysfunction of local elections and blurred lines of accountability, perhaps it’s time citizens start asking: who really governs our cities?

बाइक रैली से लेकर लोक गीतों तक, बड़े और छोटे शहर वोटरों को भारत के 2024 के आम चुनावों में ज्यादा से ज्यादा हिस्सा लेने के लिए हर तरह के प्रयास कर रहे हैं। लेकिन क्या ये पोस्टकार्ड और भावुक अपीलें प्रवासी मजदूरों, एनआरआई और पहली बार वोट देने वालों तक पहुंच पाएंगी? जैसे-जैसे गर्मी बढ़ रही है — असल और राजनीतिक दोनों तरह से — भारत की लोकतांत्रिक व्यवस्था एक नए और बड़े चुनौती के लिए तैयार हो रही है।

From cycle rallies to folk songs, cities big and small are trying everything to boost voter turnout for India's 2024 General Elections. But will postcards and poetic appeals be enough to reach migrant workers, NRIs, and first-time voters? As the heat rises, literally and politically, India’s democratic machinery gears up for a challenge like no other.

India’s smaller cities found themselves on the global map, with G20 flags flying not just in metros! From Hampi’s long-awaited infrastructure upgrades to grassroots participation in Aizawl and Jowai, the summit left tangible traces. But behind the glitter of global diplomacy, some cities faced disruption and displacement. What does this sudden spotlight mean for cities not used to it? And what lingers after the delegates leave?

Caught between tradition and transformation, Lady Punekar contemplates her future. As her Big Sister Mumbai urges her toward progress, Pune grapples with the fear of losing her identity and heritage. Must growth only come at the cost of authenticity? In a world where ambition often overrides preservation, Pune seeks a path that is uniquely hers. Will she conform or will she carve her own destiny?

The Bhopal Municipal Corporation was recently fined Rs. 1 crore by the National Green Tribunal for illegal construction on Bhopal Lake, underlining the growing role of NGT in holding cities accountable for environmental violations. While NGT's reach has extended beyond major metros, smaller towns are also under scrutiny. With citizen involvement proving crucial, are environmental concerns in smaller cities now being addressed effectively?

Outdated rates, missing records, and massive shortfalls: property tax collection in Indian cities is far from efficient. But with GIS mapping, online systems, and tech-based nudges, some cities are seeing surprising gains. As systems modernise, the real test lies in building trust and bridging gaps in access and awareness.

Despite the ban on manual scavenging, there continues to be thousands of fatalities since 1993. With workers still engaged in sewer cleaning, the gap between policy and practice remains stark. While machines and technologies like Kerala’s Bandicoot robot offer hope, questions about implementation and accessibility persist. Can this technological shift finally bring dignity and safety to sanitation work, or is a deeper systemic change needed to eradicate this practice?

With city budgets rolling out, Jodhpur has taken a digital leap, while Muzaffarpur addresses stray dog management and Vijayawada focuses on sanitation. Yet, beneath these plans lies a larger question: how financially independent are our municipalities? As urban areas expand and expectations rise, are city budgets keeping pace with development demands, or are they still heavily reliant on state and central grants?

Women make up nearly half of India’s population, yet their representation in state assemblies remains minimal. Despite some regional political parties setting benchmarks for inclusivity, most still fall short. With upcoming state elections, calls for greater female representation are louder than ever. Can inclusive governance in terms of gender become more than just a promise? Or will it continue to be an unfulfilled ambition?

Noida’s twin towers came crashing down after years of persistent legal battles: a testament to how collective citizen efforts can challenge unlawful construction. While cities like Coimbatore proactively form ward committees and area sabhas, others like Mangalore still need a push from residents. As urban local bodies navigate public participation, can these invited spaces truly bridge the gap between local governance and community voices?

In the quaint Himalayan town of Agastyamuni, where mountains stand sentinel, a new generation dreams beyond what they're simply told. This essay journeys into the mind of a young visionary ready to rewrite the rules of governance to transform their fragile home. It’s a story of hope, where youthful energy rooted in the ancient soil of her hometown dares to turn challenges into change.

पटना की धूप में एक नरम उजास था, जब सुमन मैडम वर्षों बाद उस मिट्टी पर लौटीं जहाँ बचपन की हँसी गूँजती थी। कार की खिड़की से उनकी आँखें पुरानी गलियों को देख रही थी, अब वहाँ धूल-मिट्टी या भीड़-भाड़ नहीं थी, बल्कि स्वच्छ हवाओं में सिमटी उम्मीद की हल्की-सी चमक थी। कागजी योजनाओं में उलझी सुमन मैडम भी अब बदलाव का स्पंदन महसूस कर रही थीं। आइए पढ़ते हैं एक ऐसे शहर की कहानी जो संकल्प के ताने-बाने से बुना गया है।

As a war-torn nation struggles, a city entrusts its future to ambitious youth elected as administrators for six months. From ending homelessness to nuturing safety and green spaces, their idealism sparks real change. But amid progress and innovation, exhaustion and imbalance threaten their vision. Their story reveals what it truly takes to build a better city, and the cost of chasing growth without pause.

In the quiet folds of India’s heartland lies a city both simple and complex. This is a personal journey into Dewas's missed chances, hidden strengths, and the dream of transformation. In the foreground of culture, nature, and industry, one aspiring youth's love letter to his city reveals his vision of hope, governance strategy, and a deep ambition for a better tomorrow. What does it take to rewrite a city’s future from within?