Pune’s academic foundations, anchored by institutions such as Savitribai Phule Pune University, continue to attract top talent, nurturing a vibrant student and innovation culture. The city’s kinetic streets—especially those like FC Road—are lined with independent cafes, bookstores and cultural hubs. Pune’s enduring appeal is further reflected in its #23 rank in our overall Lovability index, with students, residents and visitors singing its praises and powering it to a #13 ranking for both Google Trends and Instagram Hashtags. Despite Pune’s rapid urban development, tranquil enclaves such as Koregaon Park, with its tree-lined streets and serene green spaces, offer respite from the city’s bustling pace, helping Pune to a #21 ranking for Sights & Landmarks and #19 for Nature & Parks. With strongholds in the IT and automotive sectors, supported by industry titans like Tata Motors, Infosys and Bajaj Auto, the city ranks #60 in our overall Prosperity pillar (although that’s poised to improve, especially with its impressive affordability, ranking #12 for Price-to-Income Ratio). The Maharashtra government’s concerted efforts to attract almost US$2 billion in investments over the next two years underscore Pune’s economic ambition, with an expected creation of 30,000 new jobs. A newly expanded international airport will help, too.