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• The Delhi government has extended the eligibility cut-off for slum rehabilitation from 2015 to January 1, 2025, bringing a significantly larger number of residents under the housing programme.
• The decision is expected to benefit nearly 20 lakh people living in JJ clusters and support the rehabilitation of around 4-5 lakh families.
• The revised provision has been approved under the Delhi Slum and JJ Cluster Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, 2026.
• Authorities believe the move will help speed up redevelopment projects by reducing disputes over beneficiary eligibility.
• The policy focuses on permanent housing, in-situ redevelopment, and improved civic infrastructure across slum settlements in the national capital.
In a major step towards expanding affordable housing and slum redevelopment in the national capital, the Delhi government has approved an extension of the eligibility cut-off date for slum rehabilitation from 2015 to January 1, 2025. The decision is expected to bring nearly 20 lakh residents living in Jhuggi-Jhopri (JJ) clusters within the ambit of rehabilitation benefits and permanent housing schemes.
The approval was granted during the 36th meeting of the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Senior officials and Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood were also present during the discussions. According to the government, the revised eligibility framework is designed to ensure that a much larger section of slum residents can participate in rehabilitation and relocation programmes.
The move forms a key part of the newly finalised Delhi Slum and JJ Cluster Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, 2026. Under the revised framework, families residing in JJ clusters up to January 1, 2025, will be considered for rehabilitation benefits, replacing the earlier 2015 benchmark that had remained in force for several years.
Officials said the previous cut-off date often created challenges during redevelopment projects. In many JJ clusters, families living side by side were treated differently because some qualified under the 2015 criteria while others did not. This frequently led to objections, delays and legal complications during project implementation. The updated eligibility norms are expected to address these issues and create a more inclusive rehabilitation process.
The policy is likely to have a direct impact on around 4-5 lakh families living in slum settlements across Delhi. Authorities believe the broader eligibility coverage will help accelerate redevelopment projects and improve participation among residents. It is also expected to support smoother land redevelopment and infrastructure planning in densely populated urban pockets.
A key focus of the new policy is the development of permanent housing through both in-situ rehabilitation and public-private partnership (PPP) models. In-situ redevelopment allows eligible residents to receive housing at or near their existing locations, helping maintain social networks, access to jobs and community support systems.
Alongside housing, the policy proposes the creation of supporting social infrastructure, including schools, healthcare facilities, anganwadis, community spaces and playgrounds. The objective is not only to provide formal housing but also to improve overall living standards for families currently residing in informal settlements.
The decision aligns with Delhi's broader efforts to address housing shortages among economically weaker sections and improve urban living conditions. Over the years, several rehabilitation projects have faced implementation hurdles due to restrictive eligibility norms and disputes over beneficiary identification. The revised policy seeks to remove many of these bottlenecks while creating a clearer framework for future redevelopment projects.
Authorities have already identified multiple JJ clusters for redevelopment and are expected to expedite tendering and project execution under the new policy framework. The government has also been working on the utilisation and revival of vacant Economically Weaker Section (EWS) housing stock developed under earlier schemes, which could complement future rehabilitation efforts.
With a substantial increase in the number of eligible beneficiaries, the latest policy revision is being viewed as one of the most significant changes to Delhi's slum rehabilitation framework in recent years. The move is expected to play an important role in reshaping housing access for a large segment of the city's urban poor while supporting planned urban redevelopment.
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