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Category — GS Paper 3 ///Published — 2026-06-09 ///Exam — Both Prelims and Mains ///Tags — Climate Change, Urbanisation, Environment ///Category — GS Paper 3 ///Published — 2026-06-09 ///Exam — Both Prelims and Mains ///Tags — Climate Change, Urbanisation, Environment ///

News · GS Paper 3

India Leads Global Heat Vulnerability: 14 Cities in Top 50

An Oxford University study has identified India as having the highest number of cities (14) among the world's 50 most heat-vulnerable cities. Ahmedabad ranks 2nd globally, followed by Nagpur (4th), Madurai (7th), Bhopal (15th), and Kanpur (20th). The study assessed 205 cities with populations over one million using three factors: hazard exposure, vulnerability, and coping capacity. Maharashtra has the highest state-wise representation with three cities (Nagpur, Pune, Mumbai). This study highlights India's urgent need for urban heat adaptation strategies beyond just temperature reduction.

2026-06-09

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Key Facts

Study Title: "Moving beyond exposure: a globally comparable framework for heat risk assessment in cities"
Conducting Institution: Oxford University
Scope: 205 cities with populations over one million
India's Rank: Highest number of cities (14) among top 50 heat-vulnerable cities globally

Top Indian Cities in Heat Vulnerability Rankings

Rank	City	Significance
2nd	Ahmedabad	Highest-ranked Indian city
4th	Nagpur	Second highest-ranked
7th	Madurai	Third highest-ranked
15th	Bhopal	Notable concern
20th	Kanpur	Significant vulnerability

State-wise Distribution

Maharashtra: Highest representation (Nagpur, Pune, Mumbai)
Tamil Nadu: Two cities
Uttar Pradesh: Two cities

Assessment Framework

The study measured heat risk through three interconnected factors:

Hazard Exposure: Direct exposure to extreme temperatures
Vulnerability: Socio-demographic factors making populations susceptible
Coping Capacity: City's ability to respond and adapt

Drivers of Vulnerability in Indian Cities

Housing: People living in slums and poorly ventilated homes
Infrastructure: Areas with unreliable electricity or water supply
Urban Planning: Low tree cover and fewer open/green spaces
Socio-demographic Factors: Population density and demographic composition
Environmental: Humidity, radiant heat, and wind speed patterns

Adaptation Concerns and Recommendations

What Researchers Warned Against:

Over-reliance on air conditioning due to:
Increased energy demand
Refrigerant emissions (HFCs/HCFCs - Kyoto Protocol relevance)
Waste heat contributing to urban heat island effect

Significance for India

Urban Policy: Need for Heat Action Plans at city level
Health: Direct impact on public health, especially vulnerable populations
Climate Justice: Differential vulnerability based on socioeconomic status
Sustainable Development: Aligns with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action)
Urban Planning: Need for climate-responsive city planning

Constitutional and Policy Dimensions

Article 48A (Directive Principles): Protection and improvement of environment
Article 51A(g): Fundamental duty to protect environment
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): Guidelines on heat wave management
India's NDCs: Commitments under Paris Agreement

Related Issues

Urban Heat Island Effect
Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events
Environmental Justice and Equity
Sustainable Urban Development