This policy brief examines the various socioeconomic dimensions of internal migration and reviews its inherent relationship with development, especially with regard to urbanization policies. Short-distance migrants compose a significant share of all internal migrants in India. Most are engaged in temporary and seasonal movements and hail from poor and marginalized communities. While rural-rural migration is the largest migration stream, rural-urban migrants make up an important part of urban spheres all across the country. Despite being integral to the economy, such migrants often end up on the margins of society. A broad-based policy is required to expand these migrants’ access to housing, healthcare and livelihoods.