Assessing Socio-Economic Progress Under The Smart City Mission: Evidence From Urban Performance Indicators

Abstract

The Smart City Mission, launched by the Government of India in 2015, aims to enhance urban livability through technology-driven governance and improved public service delivery. This paper assesses the extent of socio-economic progress achieved under the Smart City Mission using selected urban performance indicators. The study examines the relationship between municipal governance quality and urban service outcomes across selected Indian Smart Cities. Using secondary data for the last five years obtained from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the analysis employs descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. Governance quality is measured using the Municipal Performance Index (MPI), while socio-economic outcomes are proxied by the Ease of Living Index (EoLI) and solid waste management efficiency indicators. The findings indicate a strong positive association between governance performance and socio-economic outcomes, with leading cities demonstrating superior service delivery efficiency. The study highlights the importance of data-driven governance, institutional capacity building, and continuous performance monitoring to strengthen the impact of the Smart City Mission.