Rajasthan creates 76 new municipalities, sanctions 684 posts in urban reform push
Synopsis
Rajasthan has added 76 new municipalities in one go — its biggest urban expansion in years — and sanctioned 684 government posts in a department that hadn't seen major hiring in 15 years. The move signals a deliberate pivot toward formalising fast-growing towns and reversing an outsourcing policy for frontline civic workers.
Key Takeaways
The Rajasthan government has created 76 new municipalities , raising the total Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) count from 309 to 385 .
684 new posts have been sanctioned in the Department of Local Self-Government — the first major staffing move in the department in nearly 15 years .
Jaipur and Jhunjhunu districts are the biggest beneficiaries, each receiving 7 new municipalities .
The government has revoked approval for 54 outsourced posts in six existing municipalities, reversing an earlier outsourcing decision for sanitation and Class-IV workers.
The expansion is also the first recruitment approval in the Local Self-Government Department in the last three years .
The Rajasthan government has approved the creation of 76 new municipalities across the state, raising the total count of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) from 309 to 385. Alongside, the government has sanctioned 684 new posts in the Department of Local Self-Government to staff the newly formed civic bodies — marking what officials describe as one of the most significant urban governance overhauls in the state's recent history.
Scale of the Expansion
Jaipur and Jhunjhunu districts emerged as the biggest beneficiaries, each receiving seven new municipalities. In Jaipur district, municipal status has been granted to Vatika, Jamwaramgarh, Phagi, Dudu, Kanota, Khejroli, and Kaladera. In Jhunjhunu, the newly upgraded towns include Singhana, Dundlod, Jakhal, Sultana, Buhana, Malsisar, and Mandrela.
Four new municipalities have been created each in Dausa, Alwar, and Tonk, while three have been established in Ajmer, Barmer, and Balotra. A wide spread of other districts — including Sikar, Sawai Madhopur, Bundi, Nagaur, Bikaner, Dholpur, Karauli, Kotputli-Behror, Jalore, and Beawar — have also received two new municipalities each. Single municipalities have been sanctioned for towns such as Vallabhnagar in Udaipur, Gharsana in Sri Ganganagar, Sojat Road in Pali, and Arnod in Pratapgarh, among others.
Why This Decision Matters
This is reportedly the first major creation of posts in the Local Self-Government Department in nearly 15 years, and the first recruitment approval in the department in the last three years. The government stated that the decision is intended to improve civic administration, accelerate infrastructure delivery, and ensure faster access to basic urban services in rapidly expanding towns across Rajasthan.
Notably, this expansion comes at a time when Rajasthan's urban population is growing steadily, placing mounting pressure on existing civic infrastructure and service delivery mechanisms. Bringing more towns under formal municipal frameworks is seen as a prerequisite for accessing central urban development funds and schemes.
Outsourcing Policy Reversed
In a parallel move, the state government has withdrawn its earlier decision to outsource Class-IV employees, sanitation supervisors, sanitation workers, and watchmen in six previously constituted municipalities. The approval for 54 outsourced posts in these civic bodies has been revoked with immediate effect, signalling a policy shift back toward direct government employment in frontline sanitation and maintenance roles.
Employment and Governance Outlook
The government stated that the 684 sanctioned posts will not only strengthen urban governance but also generate fresh employment opportunities for qualified youth in the state. Detailed recruitment procedures are yet to be announced. As Rajasthan moves to operationalise these 76 new ULBs, the pace of staffing, budget allocation, and infrastructure provisioning will determine whether the reform translates into on-ground improvement in urban service delivery.
Point of View
But the harder question is whether Rajasthan can operationalise them. Sanctioning 684 posts after a 15-year gap suggests the department has been running on fumes — and new ULBs without adequate staff risk becoming administrative shells that collect taxes without delivering services. The reversal of outsourcing for sanitation workers is a meaningful signal, but it also raises the question of why outsourcing was approved in the first place. The real test of this reform will come in 12 months: are these municipalities staffed, funded, and functional, or are they simply on paper?
NationPress
26 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many new municipalities has the Rajasthan government created?
The Rajasthan government has approved the creation of 76 new municipalities, raising the total number of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the state from 309 to 385. Jaipur and Jhunjhunu districts received the most, with seven new municipalities each.
How many government posts have been sanctioned alongside the new municipalities?
The government has sanctioned 684 new posts in the Department of Local Self-Government to staff the newly created civic bodies. This is reportedly the first major post-creation exercise in the department in nearly 15 years and the first recruitment approval in three years.
Which districts benefit the most from Rajasthan's municipal expansion?
Jaipur and Jhunjhunu districts are the biggest beneficiaries, each getting seven new municipalities. Dausa, Alwar, and Tonk received four each, while Ajmer, Barmer, and Balotra got three each. Several other districts, including Sikar, Bikaner, Nagaur, and Bundi, received two new municipalities apiece.
What is the significance of reversing the outsourcing decision for civic workers?
The Rajasthan government has revoked approval for 54 outsourced posts — covering Class-IV employees, sanitation supervisors, sanitation workers, and watchmen — in six previously constituted municipalities. The reversal signals a policy shift back toward direct government employment for frontline urban service roles.
Why is Rajasthan expanding its Urban Local Bodies?
The government stated the expansion aims to improve civic administration, accelerate infrastructure development, and ensure faster delivery of basic urban services in rapidly growing towns. Formalising towns as municipalities also makes them eligible for central government urban development funding and schemes.
