A nationwide survey on urban slums is being planned for 2027 by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. This survey aims to gather detailed information about the living conditions of slum residents in India.

The primary goal of the survey is to gain insights into several key aspects of urban slums, including the number of slums and households, access to essential services like electricity, drainage, garbage disposal, roads, and drinking water. Additionally, the survey will assess the quality of housing in these areas. By collecting this data, the government intends to evaluate whether the living conditions in urban slums have improved over the years. The survey data will play a crucial role in informing policy decisions and helping to improve the lives of those residing in these settlements.

The first survey on urban slums was conducted by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) between July 1976 and June 1977. The most recent survey was also carried out by the NSSO during July-December 2012. According to the 2012 survey, India had 33,510 urban slums, with Maharashtra having the highest number, accounting for 23%. Andhra Pradesh followed with 13.5%, West Bengal with 11.8%, Gujarat with 8.7%, and Tamil Nadu with 7.1%.

Slums, also known as informal settlements or shantytowns, are characterized by overcrowded and substandard housing, lack of basic amenities like clean water and sanitation, and inadequate access to healthcare and education. A slum is a residential area that may be officially notified by authorities or exist as a non-notified settlement, consisting of overcrowded, poorly built houses, with inadequate sanitation and basic services. Several factors contribute to the growth of slums in India, including rural-to-urban migration, lack of affordable housing, inadequate urban planning, poverty, and unemployment. According to the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, about 34% of India's population lived in urban areas in 2019, and this is projected to reach 40% by 2030, contributing to the expansion of slums.

In 2011, the Census of India estimated that 65 million people lived in around 108,000 slums across India. Maharashtra had the largest number of slums, with approximately 21,000. Shortages of affordable housing have resulted in around 25% of the urban population living in informal housing, such as slums. Slum redevelopment and clearance are used as urban renewal approaches to redevelop and transform poor settlements into new housing or developments.