The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has established five working groups to recommend reforms aimed at transforming urban governance across India. The groups will focus on areas such as political and administrative reforms, redefining the role of parastatals, rural-urban continuity, and enhancing local capacity building.

These working groups will examine key issues like enhancing accountability among elected officials in project execution, the direct election of mayors, and the creation of participatory budgeting processes. The groups will submit their findings within three months, suggesting necessary changes to municipal laws, recruitment rules, and governance frameworks that could be replicated across states and cities.

The ministry has emphasized the need for sustainable and incremental reforms that empower city governments and ensure greater democratic accountability. The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) has been named the lead organization, with several knowledge partners such as Janaagraha, CEPT University, and the Indian Institute of Human Settlements supporting the groups.