Question:medium

What is the name of the highest category of cities with a population of more than 5 million?

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Important Urban Population Categories: Class I City $\rightarrow$ Above 1 lakh Metropolitan City $\rightarrow$ Above 1 million Megacity $\rightarrow$ Above 5 million
Updated On: May 30, 2026
  • Conurbation
  • Megacity
  • Metropolitan
  • Urban Agglomeration
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Urban centers are classified based on their population size, administrative status, and functional characteristics. In India, these classifications help the government allocate funds for urban development schemes (like AMRUT or Smart Cities Mission). Standard terminology is used to differentiate between large cities and super-large urban centers.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's look at the definitions of the terms in the options:
1. Metropolitan City: In the Indian context, these are cities having a population between 1 million and 5 million. They are also referred to as "million-plus cities."
2. Megacity: This is the highest tier of cities in terms of population. Urban centers or cities with a population of more than 5 million are categorized as Megacities. Prime examples in India include Greater Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata.
3. Urban Agglomeration (UA): A UA is a continuous urban spread consisting of a town and its adjoining outgrowths, or two or more physically contiguous towns. It describes the physical layout rather than a specific population threshold like "more than 5 million."
4. Conurbation: This term refers to a large urban area formed by the merging of several previously separate towns and cities. It describes the process of urban merging rather than a population size class.
The question specifically asks for the name of the category for population > 5 million, which is Megacity.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The term "Megacity" is used for urban centers with a population exceeding 5 million. Therefore, option (B) is the correct answer.
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