The 73^rd and 74^th Constitutional Amendments brought in democratic decentralisation, making rural and urban local governments mandatory. Simultaneously, the reduction of economic barriers globally meant that cities have emerged as new nodes of accumulation. The rise of cities as key economic players in the global context and decentralization of powers makes the study of city governments necessary and essential for public policy and governance. This course is therefore designed to provide a critical understanding of the organisation of urban governance in India and the contestations around citizenship in the city. It will examine the historical evolution of urban governance in India and how the changes in the political, social and economic order is reflected in the governance of the city. Drawing on disciplines such as law, political science and planning, this course will give students an overview of the key concepts, processes, practices and debates on urban governance in India.