India’s cities reflect a rich tapestry of culture, economy, and diversity, with Mumbai leading in population at 12.69 million, serving as the financial and entertainment capital of the country. Delhi, the national capital, follows closely with 10.93 million residents and is known for its historical significance and bustling political landscape. Bengaluru, with 8.44 million people, is the tech hub, often referred to as the “Silicon Valley of India.”

Hyderabad, home to 6.81 million, blends historical heritage with a thriving IT industry, while Ahmedabad, with 6.36 million, is recognized for its rich textile heritage and rapid economic growth. Chennai, at 4.68 million, is a cultural and industrial hub in South India, whereas Kolkata, with 4.63 million, is famed for its colonial architecture and vibrant arts scene.

Surat, with a population of 4.59 million, is a major diamond processing center, while Pune, at 3.12 million, is known for its educational institutions and growing IT sector. Kanpur, with 2.82 million, has a strong industrial base, particularly in leather and textiles. Jaipur, the Pink City, is renowned for its historical forts and tourism, while Navi Mumbai, with 2.6 million, is a planned satellite city catering to the overflow from Mumbai.

Lucknow (2.47 million) is celebrated for its rich cultural heritage, while Nagpur (2.23 million) is known as the Orange City and serves as a major logistical hub. Coimbatore (2.14 million) is an industrial center, particularly for textiles and engineering, while Indore (1.84 million) is recognized for its vibrant food culture.

Vadodara (1.82 million) has a strong industrial presence, and Kallakurichi (1.68 million) is emerging as an educational center. Patna (1.6 million) is steeped in history and serves as the capital of Bihar, while Bhopal (1.6 million) is known for its lakes and green spaces. Ludhiana (1.55 million) is a major industrial city in Punjab, while Madurai (1.47 million) is famous for its temples.

The list continues with cities like Agra, known for the Taj Mahal, and Rajkot, which is a hub for small-scale industries. Each city brings its unique contributions, culture, and characteristics, painting a diverse portrait of urban life across India.

🏙️ Indian Cities by Population 🏙️

#	City Name	Population
1	Mumbai	12,691,836
2	Delhi	10,927,986
3	Bengaluru	8,443,675
4	Hyderabad	6,809,970
5	Ahmedabad	6,357,693
6	Chennai	4,681,087
7	Kolkata	4,631,392
8	Surat	4,591,246
9	Pune	3,124,458
10	Kanpur	2,823,249
11	Jaipur	2,711,758
12	Navi Mumbai	2,600,000
13	Lucknow	2,472,011
14	Nagpur	2,228,018
15	Coimbatore	2,136,916
16	Indore	1,837,041
17	Vadodara	1,822,221
18	Kallakurichi	1,682,687
19	Patna	1,599,920
20	Bhopal	1,599,914
21	Ludhiana	1,545,368
22	Madurai	1,465,625
23	Tirunelveli	1,435,844
24	Agra	1,430,055
25	Rajkot	1,390,640
26	Najafgarh	1,365,000
27	Jamshedpur	1,339,438
28	Gorakhpur	1,324,570
29	Nashik	1,289,497
30	Pimpri	1,284,606
31	Kalyan	1,262,255
32	Thane	1,261,517
33	Meerut	1,223,184
34	Nowrangapur	1,220,946
35	Faridabad	1,220,229
36	Ghaziabad	1,199,191
37	Dhanbad	1,196,214
38	Dombivli	1,193,000
39	Varanasi	1,164,404
40	Ranchi	1,120,374
41	Amritsar	1,092,450
42	Prayagraj	1,073,438
43	Visakhapatnam	1,063,178
44	Teni	1,034,724
45	Jabalpur	1,030,168
46	Haora	1,027,672
47	Tiruchirappalli	1,022,518
48	Sambhaji Nagar	1,016,441
49	Shivaji Nagar	1,000,000
50	Sholapur	997,281
51	Srinagar	975,857
52	Tiruppur	963,173
53	Chandigarh	960,787
54	Jodhpur	921,476
55	Salem	917,414
56	Guwahati	899,094
57	Gwalior	882,458
58	Vijayawada	874,587
59	Bhiwandi	874,032
60	Mysore	868,313
61	Rohini	860,000
62	Kanayannur	851,406
63	Hubli	840,214
64	Bhubaneswar	837,000
65	Narela	800,000
66	Jalandhar	785,178
67	Thiruvananthapuram	784,153
68	Kota	763,088
69	Aligarh	753,207
70	Bareilly	745,435

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1. Mumbai

• Location: Maharashtra, West Coast of India
• Features: Financial capital, Bollywood hub, diverse culture, and major port city.
• Major Religion: Hinduism (approximately 65%)
• Major Ethnic Groups: Maharashtrians, Gujaratis, North Indians, and South Indians.
• Leader: Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
• Major Imports: Machinery, electronics, and petroleum products.
• Major Exports: Textiles, diamonds, and chemicals.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 89.1%
• Population Growth Rate: ~1.1% annually.

2. Delhi

• Location: Northern India
• Features: National capital, rich history, diverse architecture, and major political center.
• Major Religion: Hinduism (approximately 82%)
• Major Ethnic Groups: Punjabis, Biharis, and migrants from various states.
• Leader: Chief Minister of Delhi.
• Major Imports: Electronics, machinery, and precious metals.
• Major Exports: Textiles, machinery, and handicrafts.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 87.7%
• Population Growth Rate: ~2.0% annually.

3. Bengaluru

• Location: Karnataka, Southern India
• Features: Tech hub (Silicon Valley of India), vibrant startup culture, and pleasant climate.
• Major Religion: Hinduism (approximately 85%)
• Major Ethnic Groups: Kannadigas, Tamils, and North Indians.
• Leader: Chief Minister of Karnataka.
• Major Imports: Electronics and machinery.
• Major Exports: IT services and software products.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 89.5%
• Population Growth Rate: ~3.6% annually.

4. Hyderabad

• Location: Telangana, Southern India
• Features: Blend of history and modernity, famous for its cuisine, and IT industries.
• Major Religion: Islam (approximately 43%)
• Major Ethnic Groups: Telugu, Urdu-speaking communities, and others.
• Leader: Chief Minister of Telangana.
• Major Imports: Electronics, machinery, and chemicals.
• Major Exports: IT services, pharmaceuticals, and pearls.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 83.3%
• Population Growth Rate: ~2.6% annually.

5. Ahmedabad

• Location: Gujarat, Western India
• Features: Major economic and industrial hub, known for textiles and heritage.
• Major Religion: Hinduism (approximately 83%)
• Major Ethnic Groups: Gujaratis, including Patels and Jains.
• Leader: Chief Minister of Gujarat.
• Major Imports: Machinery and chemicals.
• Major Exports: Textiles, chemicals, and diamond processing.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 89.1%
• Population Growth Rate: ~2.0% annually.

6. Chennai

• Location: Tamil Nadu, Southern India
• Features: Major cultural and economic center, known for its automotive industry and classical music.
• Major Religion: Hinduism (approximately 88%)
• Major Ethnic Groups: Tamils, Telugu, and Malayalis.
• Leader: Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
• Major Imports: Crude oil and machinery.
• Major Exports: Automobiles, textiles, and software services.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 90.2%
• Population Growth Rate: ~1.0% annually.

7. Kolkata

• Location: West Bengal, Eastern India
• Features: Cultural capital, colonial architecture, and diverse arts scene.
• Major Religion: Hinduism (approximately 72%)
• Major Ethnic Groups: Bengali, Marwari, and Bihari communities.
• Leader: Chief Minister of West Bengal.
• Major Imports: Machinery and consumer goods.
• Major Exports: Jute products, textiles, and fish.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 87.1%
• Population Growth Rate: ~1.0% annually.

8. Surat

• Location: Gujarat, Western India
• Features: Major diamond trading center, known for textiles and cleanliness.
• Major Religion: Hinduism (approximately 80%)
• Major Ethnic Groups: Gujaratis, including Patels and Kachchhis.
• Leader: Mayor of Surat.
• Major Imports: Rough diamonds and textiles.
• Major Exports: Diamonds and textiles.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 89.6%
• Population Growth Rate: ~2.6% annually.

9. Pune

• Location: Maharashtra, Western India
• Features: Educational and IT hub, rich history, and cultural activities.
• Major Religion: Hinduism (approximately 85%)
• Major Ethnic Groups: Marathi, North Indians, and South Indians.
• Leader: Mayor of Pune.
• Major Imports: Electronics and machinery.
• Major Exports: IT services and automotive products.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 89.8%
• Population Growth Rate: ~2.0% annually.

10. Kanpur

• Location: Uttar Pradesh, Northern India
• Features: Industrial center, known for leather and textiles.
• Major Religion: Hinduism (approximately 81%)
• Major Ethnic Groups: North Indians, primarily from Uttar Pradesh.
• Leader: Mayor of Kanpur.
• Major Imports: Raw materials for leather and textiles.
• Major Exports: Leather goods and textiles.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 85.1%
• Population Growth Rate: ~1.5% annually.

11. Jaipur

• Location: Rajasthan, Northern India
• Features: Historical architecture, tourism, and rich cultural heritage.
• Major Religion: Hinduism (approximately 90%)
• Major Ethnic Groups: Rajputs and other Rajasthani communities.
• Leader: Chief Minister of Rajasthan.
• Major Imports: Raw materials for handicrafts.
• Major Exports: Handicrafts and textiles.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 85.4%
• Population Growth Rate: ~2.1% annually.

12. Navi Mumbai

• Location: Maharashtra, Coastal region near Mumbai
• Features: Planned satellite city, residential and commercial developments.
• Major Religion: Hinduism (approximately 75%)
• Major Ethnic Groups: Maharashtrians and migrants from various states.
• Leader: Municipal Commissioner of Navi Mumbai.
• Major Imports: Machinery and electronics.
• Major Exports: IT services and real estate.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 89.1%
• Population Growth Rate: ~2.0% annually.

13. Lucknow

• Location: Uttar Pradesh, Northern India
• Features: Cultural and administrative capital, known for its history and cuisine.
• Major Religion: Islam (approximately 35%)
• Major Ethnic Groups: Awadhi, Urdu-speaking, and North Indians.
• Leader: Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
• Major Imports: Consumer goods and food products.
• Major Exports: Handicrafts and textiles.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 81.5%
• Population Growth Rate: ~1.4% annually.

14. Nagpur

• Location: Maharashtra, Central India
• Features: Known for oranges, educational institutions, and logistics.
• Major Religion: Hinduism (approximately 80%)
• Major Ethnic Groups: Marathi and North Indians.
• Leader: Mayor of Nagpur.
• Major Imports: Agricultural products and machinery.
• Major Exports: Oranges and textiles.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 89.7%
• Population Growth Rate: ~1.2% annually.

15. Coimbatore

• Location: Tamil Nadu, Southern India
• Features: Major industrial hub, known for textiles and engineering.
• Major Religion: Hinduism (approximately 83%)
• Major Ethnic Groups: Tamils and Malayalis.
• Leader: Mayor of Coimbatore.
• Major Imports: Textile machinery and raw materials.
• Major Exports: Textiles and engineering goods.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 87.4%
• Population Growth Rate: ~1.5% annually.

16. Indore

• Location: Madhya Pradesh, Central India
• Features: Major commercial center, known for its food and cleanliness.
• Major Religion: Hinduism (approximately 85%)
• Major Ethnic Groups: Malwi and North Indians.
• Leader: Mayor of Indore.
• Major Imports: Consumer goods and textiles.
• Major Exports: Food products and textiles.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 89.0%
• Population Growth Rate: ~1.9% annually.

17. Vadodara

• Location: Gujarat, Western India
• Features: Cultural center, known for its palaces and educational institutions.
• Major Religion: Hinduism (approximately 85%)
• Major Ethnic Groups: Gujaratis and Marathis.
• Leader: Mayor of Vadodara.
• Major Imports: Machinery and chemicals.
• Major Exports: Engineering goods and textiles.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 89.0%
• Population Growth Rate: ~2.1% annually.

18. Kallakurichi

• Location: Tamil Nadu, Southern India
• Features: Emerging as an educational center, known for agriculture.
• Major Religion: Hinduism (approximately 92%)
• Major Ethnic Groups: Tamils.
• Leader: Local representatives.
• Major Imports: Agricultural products.
• Major Exports: Agricultural goods.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 80.5%
• Population Growth Rate: ~2.4% annually.

19. Patna

• Location: Bihar, Eastern India
• Features: Historical significance, rich cultural heritage, and education center.
• Major Religion: Hinduism (approximately 82%)
• Major Ethnic Groups: Biharis, including Brahmins and Other Backward Classes.
• Leader: Chief Minister of Bihar.
• Major Imports: Consumer goods and machinery.
• Major Exports: Agricultural products and textiles.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 82.0%
• Population Growth Rate: ~2.0% annually.

20. Bhopal

• Location: Madhya Pradesh, Central India
• Features: Known as the City of Lakes, rich cultural and historical background.
• Major Religion: Islam (approximately 30%)
• Major Ethnic Groups: Bhopalis and North Indians.
• Leader: Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.
• Major Imports: Machinery and textiles.
• Major Exports: Handicrafts and textiles.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 89.0%
• Population Growth Rate: ~1.5% annually.

21. Ludhiana

• Location: Punjab, Northern India
• Features: Major industrial city known for textiles and manufacturing.
• Major Religion: Sikhism (approximately 58%)
• Major Ethnic Groups: Punjabis.
• Leader: Mayor of Ludhiana.
• Major Imports: Machinery and raw materials.
• Major Exports: Textiles and bicycle parts.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 89.5%
• Population Growth Rate: ~2.1% annually.

22. Madurai

• Location: Tamil Nadu, Southern India
• Features: Known for temples and cultural heritage, historical city.
• Major Religion: Hinduism (approximately 88%)
• Major Ethnic Groups: Tamils.
• Leader: Local representatives.
• Major Imports: Agricultural products and textiles.
• Major Exports: Handicrafts and textiles.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 85.1%
• Population Growth Rate: ~1.5% annually.

23. Agra

• Location: Uttar Pradesh, Northern India
• Features: Home to the Taj Mahal, significant historical and tourism hub.
• Major Religion: Hinduism (approximately 79%)
• Major Ethnic Groups: Agrawals and other North Indian communities.
• Leader: Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
• Major Imports: Raw materials for handicrafts.
• Major Exports: Marble and handicrafts.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 79.4%
• Population Growth Rate: ~1.2% annually.

24. Rajkot

• Location: Gujarat, Western India
• Features: Industrial hub known for small-scale industries and traditional handicrafts.
• Major Religion: Hinduism (approximately 80%)
• Major Ethnic Groups: Gujaratis.
• Leader: Mayor of Rajkot.
• Major Imports: Raw materials for manufacturing.
• Major Exports: Engineering goods and textiles.
• Literacy Rate: Approximately 87.5%
• Population Growth Rate: ~2.5% annually.