India’s ambitious plan to elevate its Tier II and Tier III cities into economic powerhouses is gaining momentum. The Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, announced a strategic focus on these emerging urban centers as potential City Economic Regions (CERs) during the 2026-27 Budget Speech.
Major cities face saturation, prompting a shift towards developing regional talent pools and technological capabilities in cities like Jaipur, Lucknow, and Gwalior, among others. The Economic Survey highlights these urban centers as engines of growth, ready to become Regional Economic Centres (RECs).
Through technology integration in sectors like biotech, healthcare, and agritech, these cities aim to foster economic expansion while easing the burden on Tier I cities. G.I.T.A., a key facilitator, seeks to stimulate dialogue and encourage policy infusion for sustainable, tech-driven growth.