About the session lead:

Aviral Dubey

Aviral has completed an M.Tech in Urban Development and Management from the TERI School of Advanced Studies. Currently, he is working as a Program Manager at Praja Foundation. He has expertise in urban areas and has worked with elected representatives, civil society organisations, and college students on various issues to help them strengthen their capacities in urban government across India.

About the session:

This session introduced participants to the structure and current status of urban governance in India. It covered the constitutional framework of a three-tiered governance system, emphasizing the roles and responsibilities assigned through the Union, State, and Concurrent Lists.

The session also featured insights from Praja Foundation’s Urban Governance Index, which assesses how well states are enabling empowered local governments. A key highlight was the discussion on the fiscal empowerment of city governments and the systemic challenges they face in managing urban development effectively.