How does the New Delhi Municipal Council differ from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi?

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) are distinct administrative bodies within the National Capital Territory of Delhi, differing primarily in their governance structure and geographic jurisdiction.1

• Governance Structure: The MCD is an elected body responsible for performing municipal and discretionary welfare functions across a large portion of the territory. In contrast, the NDMC is an appointed body.12
• Geographic Authority: The MCD covers a vast area of the National Capital Territory, including both urban and rural regions. The NDMC is responsible specifically for New Delhi and its immediate adjoining areas, a geographically smaller region of approximately 16.5 square miles (42.7 square km) that serves as the seat of India's central government.132

These bodies, along with the Cantonment Board, function as the three statutory administrative entities that manage municipal services within the territory.1