Pune, 31 January 2026: The Economic Survey 2025–26 has ranked Pune as India’s most liveable city in the Ease of Living Index prepared by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Pune has moved up from second place last year, overtaking Bengaluru, which topped the rankings in the 2024–25 survey.
Pune
Navi Mumbai
Greater Mumbai
Tirupati
Chandigarh
Thane
Raipur
Indore
Vijayawada
Bhopal
The index evaluates cities on multiple aspects of urban life such as education, healthcare, housing, water supply, sanitation, waste management, mobility, safety, and recreational facilities.
According to the Survey, cities leading the rankings are largely Tier-2 or planned urban centres. These cities have avoided the intense population pressure faced by older metros over the past two decades, allowing them to manage urban growth more efficiently and stay “ahead of the curve”.
However, Pune’s top ranking has triggered sharp reactions on social media. Several users questioned how the city secured first place despite ongoing traffic congestion, incomplete metro connectivity, high real estate prices, and limited airport capacity.
Some compared Pune’s property rates to Mumbai, its air quality to Delhi, and its traffic woes to Bengaluru, arguing that daily civic challenges do not match the city’s top rank.
Others acknowledged Pune’s pleasant climate and educational ecosystem but pointed out weaknesses in traffic management and road discipline.
The mixed response highlights a gap between official indicators of liveability and citizens’ everyday experiences, raising questions about how urban quality of life is perceived versus how it is measured.
