Evaluation and Prioritization of Smart Cities in India Using IoT-Based Performance Parameters: An Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) Approach

India's fast urbanization has made the implementation of smart city projects necessary to improve efficiency, sustainability, and services centered on the needs of its citizens. Transportation, waste management, electricity, water distribution, public safety, healthcare, and environmental monitoring are just a few of the urban areas where the Internet of Things (IoT) has become a game-changing technology that allows for real-time monitoring, automation, and data-driven decision-making. This study suggests using 10 important IoT- driven performance metrics to rank and assess smart cities in India using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) paradigm. A thorough pairwise comparison matrix is created to ascertain each criterion's relative relevance, and consistency checks are carried out to guarantee accurate assessments. In order to calculate total priority scores and create a ranking of urban performance, the model is applied to a few chosen Indian cities, combining quantitative and qualitative evaluations. As a decision-support tool for policymakers, the results show how useful it is to combine IoT indicators with AHP methodology to identify cities that excel in smart infrastructure, public involvement, and adoption of technology. By providing a methodical, multi-criteria assessment methodology for directing strategic planning and resource allocation in India's smart city development programs, this study adds to the body of knowledge.