World Bank Land Conference 2025 concludes: Global praise for India’s rural governance models

New Delhi, May 9: The World Bank Land Conference 2025 concluded on a high note, with India earning international recognition for its innovative and technology-led rural governance initiatives. Held from May 5–8 in Washington D.C., the four-day conference saw India take centre stage as a Country Champion under the leadership of Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj. India’s flagship schemes, the SVAMITVA initiative and the Gram Manchitra platform, were widely acknowledged as transformative models for land tenure security and decentralised planning. “SVAMITVA is not just about mapping land, it’s about mapping opportunity,” Bharadwaj remarked during a plenary session focused on best practices in land governance.

The SVAMITVA Scheme, which combines drone-based land surveys with legal and administrative reforms, was showcased as a game-changer for empowering rural communities.

Real-world success stories—from farmers accessing credit to women gaining property rights—highlighted how secure land ownership is reshaping rural livelihoods. With over 68,000 sq. km surveyed and ?1.16 trillion worth of property monetized, the programme drew interest from several countries exploring replication. A special session titled “Securing Land Rights for a Billion People”, led by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, drew participation from World Bank officials and international delegates. The session illustrated SVAMITVA’s end-to-end approach—from survey to legal documentation—positioning it as a replicable model for inclusive development and institutional convergence.

On the final day, Shri Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, presented Gram Manchitra at a technical session on climate action and disaster resilience. The geospatial platform, used by Gram Panchayats to develop data-driven, locally tailored development plans, was lauded for its potential in infrastructure planning, climate adaptation, and disaster preparedness. “Planning must be local, data-driven, and inclusive. Gram Manchitra achieves all three,” Nagar stated.

The conference concluded with several countries expressing interest in adopting similar models, underscoring India’s growing influence in shaping global rural development discourse through digital governance.