India to lead global talks on land reform

New Delhi

India is all set to lead discussions on rural land reforms at the World Bank Land Conference 2025 in Washington, D.C., from May 5 to 8. The Indian delegation, led by Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, will showcase the SVAMITVA Scheme and Gram Manchitra platform as models for rural transformation. SVAMITVA, short for Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas, uses drone and geospatial technology to give legal ownership to rural property holders. Over 24.4 million property cards have been issued across 1.6 lakh villages, mapping more than 100 million parcels. This reform has unlocked land value worth nearly $1.16 trillion. The conference theme is Securing Land Tenure and Access for Climate Action, and India’s experience with SVAMITVA will feature in key sessions on climate-friendly land governance. India's delegation also includes senior officials from the Survey of India, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. Vivek Bharadwaj will speak at a plenary session on land tenure and women’s empowerment. Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary, will lead a session on using spatial data for climate action and disaster planning, showcasing Gram Manchitra’s success in village-level development. India’s efforts reflect inclusive, technology-driven governance and will support global Sustainable Development Goals. Earlier in March, India hosted delegates from 22 countries who praised SVAMITVA and expressed interest in partnerships. India's leadership in digital land governance highlights its growing role in shaping global rural development and climate resilience.