Classification of Towns in India as per Census 2011
Across the world, towns and urban areas are classified using different criteria. This could include:
- Income levels
- Educational attainment
- Occupational patterns
- Per capita income, etc.
But remember, there is no universal definition of a “town”. Each country and organization tailors its criteria to suit socio-economic and administrative needs.
Indian Context: Census Definition of a Town
Now, coming to India. The Census of India uses two major criteria to define towns. These are:
(A) Statutory Towns
These are areas that are officially declared as urban by law. They possess some form of urban local body such as:
- Municipal Corporation
- Municipality
- Cantonment Board
- Notified Area Committee, etc.
These towns are recognised under state/UT law, regardless of their population or density.
📝 Examples: Vadodara (Municipal Corporation), Shimla (Municipal Corporation)
(B) Census Towns
These are not notified by law as towns, but they function like urban areas based on census data.
To qualify as a Census Town, a place must meet all three of the following criteria:
- Minimum population of 5,000
- At least 75% of the male main working population engaged in non-agricultural activities
- Population density of at least 400 persons per sq. km
🧠 These are identified only during the Census exercise, not through a legal notification.
Classification Based on Population Size (Census 2011)
Once a place is recognised as urban (either as a Statutory Town or Census Town), the Census of India further classifies it into six classes, purely based on population size:
| Class | Population Range |
|---|---|
| Class I | 1,00,000 and above |
| Class II | 50,000 to 99,999 |
| Class III | 20,000 to 49,999 |
| Class IV | 10,000 to 19,999 |
| Class V | 5,000 to 9,999 |
| Class VI | Less than 5,000 |
🧭 These classifications help in urban planning, resource allocation, and policy targeting.
Concept of Urban Agglomeration (UA)
Now, let’s go one step deeper.
An Urban Agglomeration (UA) is a continuous urban spread. It can consist of:
- A statutory town and its adjoining outgrowths (OGs), or
- Two or more physically contiguous towns, with or without OGs
📌 Condition:
Total population of this agglomeration must be at least 20,000 (as per 2001 Census) and must include at least one statutory town.
📝 Examples: Greater Mumbai UA, Delhi UA, etc.
What is an Out Growth (OG)?
An Out Growth refers to a settlement unit that has grown adjacent to a statutory town. It may include:
- Railway colonies
- University campuses
- Port areas
- Military camps, etc.
These are not separate towns but are functionally urban and are considered part of a town for census purposes.
🧩 Think of it like a “satellite area” of a town, but located outside the town’s legal limits — yet within the revenue boundary of a village.
📝 Examples: Central Railway Colony (OG), Triveni Nagar (OG)
Number of Towns and Urban Agglomerations (Census 2011)
Let’s now look at the scale of urban India as per the 2011 Census:
- Total towns in India: 7,935
- This includes Statutory Towns + Census Towns
- An increase of 2,774 towns since 2001!
- Total Urban Agglomerations/Towns considered as urban units: 6,166
So, you see, urbanization in India is not just expanding in size, but also in complexity.
🔚 Conclusion
To summarise, the classification of towns in India is based on both legal status and functional characteristics. This dual system — Statutory Towns (legal) and Census Towns (functional) — reflects the diversity of India’s urbanization. Additionally, the Census provides a clear framework of population-based town classes and introduces the technical concepts of Urban Agglomeration and Out Growths, which are crucial for understanding urban structure and planning.