How do you decide which are the biggest cities in India? Do you decide the list by size, by population, or by GDP? The term “biggest cities” can refer to different aspects; someone might be referring to the size, whereas another might be referring to the population. How about we take a look at the largest cities in India, considering not just size, but also population and GDP?
In this blog, we will take you through the biggest cities in India. These cities will be distributed in three categories, i.e., biggest by size, biggest by population, and biggest by GDP.
10 Biggest Cities in India by Size
| Rank | City | State/UT | Area (sq km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delhi | National Capital Territory | ~1,398 – 1,484 |
| 2 | Bengaluru | Karnataka | 741 |
| 3 | Hyderabad | Telangana | 650 |
| 4 | Visakhapatnam | Andhra Pradesh | ~640 – 682 |
| 5 | Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh | 631 |
| 6 | Indore | Madhya Pradesh | ~530 – 564 |
| 7 | Ahmedabad | Gujarat | ~505 – 530 |
| 8 | Pune | Maharashtra | ~485 – 486 |
| 9 | Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh | 463 |
| 10 | Surat | Gujarat | ~461 – 462 |
Read More: Largest Cities in India by Area: A Complete Urban Geography Guide (2025 Edition)
10 Biggest Cities in India by Population
| Rank | City | State/UT | Population (millions) | Density (per sq km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | ~12.7 | ~20,482 |
| 2 | Delhi | NCT of Delhi | ~11.0 (city), metro ~24 | ~13,218 |
| 3 | Bengaluru | Karnataka | ~12.4–14.4 | ~17,812 |
| 4 | Hyderabad | Telangana | ~9.3 | ~16,308 |
| 5 | Ahmedabad | Gujarat | ~7.7 | ~16,038 |
| 6 | Chennai | Tamil Nadu | ~6.4 | ~26,903 |
| 7 | Kolkata | West Bengal | ~4.6 | ~24,000 |
| 8 | Surat | Gujarat | ~2.9 | ~15,153 |
| 9 | Pune | Maharashtra | ~2.9 | ~11,000 |
| 10 | Jaipur | Rajasthan | ~2.7 | ~6,500 |
10 Biggest Cities in India by GDP
| Rank | City | State | GDP (₹ Lakh Cr) | Population (M) | Major Industries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | 257.3 | 12.7 | Finance, Entertainment, IT, Real Estate |
| 2 | Delhi (NCR) | Delhi (UT) | 243.7 | 11.0 | Government, IT, Telecom, Manufacturing |
| 3 | Kolkata | West Bengal | 124.5 | 4.6 | Finance, Ports, Trade, Textiles |
| 4 | Bengaluru | Karnataka | 101.6 | 5.1 | IT, Startups, Aerospace, Biotechnology |
| 5 | Chennai | Tamil Nadu | 78.6 | 4.3 | Automotive, IT, Electronics, Healthcare |
| 6 | Hyderabad | Telangana | 62.3 | 3.6 | IT, Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology |
| 7 | Pune | Maharashtra | 58.0 | 2.9 | Automotive, IT, Education, Manufacturing |
| 8 | Ahmedabad | Gujarat | 57.0 | 3.7 | Textiles, Chemicals, Petrochemicals |
| 9 | Surat | Gujarat | 50.0 | 2.9 | Diamonds, Textiles, Trade |
| 10 | Visakhapatnam | Andhra Pradesh | 40.0 | 1.1 | Port & Shipping, Steel, Petroleum |
15 Biggest Cities in India That Shape the Nation’s Economy and Culture
When you take a look at the biggest cities of our country, you realize they all boil down to 15 cities. These cities are the centre of the Indian economy, due to their population and GDP. In the next section, we will talk about each of them and why they are important to our nation.
In this section, we will take a deep look at the GDP, population, culture, and contribution of the biggest cities in India. Here’s what you need to know about these cities:
1. Delhi
Delhi is the biggest city in India. The city has been at the centre of Indian history for a while now. Historically, it has been a capital for many empires, like the Mughals. Delhi Metropolitan’s population is estimated to be over 23 million.
Its economy is vigorous, with the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for the National Capital Territory estimated at around Rs. 11,07,746 crore (nominal) for 2023-24.
2. Mumbai
Mumbai, the financial and entertainment capital, is a city built on seven islands. Its history shifted from Portuguese/British control to being India’s modern economic powerhouse. The culture is a cosmopolitan blend, hectic, diverse, and home to Bollywood.
It is the biggest city in India in terms of population and GDP. The population is over 22 million, most due to immigration. Its high GDP with nominal metro GDP is $278 billion, making it India’s wealthiest city. Mumbai’s nominal metro GDP is $278 billion.
3. Bengaluru
Bengaluru, founded in 1537 by Kempe Gowda I. In 2025, it became India’s very own Silicon Valley. As one of the biggest cities in India, it is a primary economic engine for the country.
Its cosmopolitan culture is a blend of traditional Kannada heritage and a modern, diverse, tech-savvy population. With a metropolitan population exceeding 12 million, it is a fast-growing megacity. Its estimated metropolitan GDP (PPP) is around $360 billion.
4. Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam (Vizag) is a major port city and Andhra Pradesh’s financial capital. The estimated population is over 2 million. Its economy is robust, with an estimated GDP of $43.5–48.5 billion.
Vizag is one of the biggest contributors to the Indian GDP. It is home to heavy industry, pharmaceutical companies, ports, the IT industry, and power generation. All these industries make it the 10th-largest economy in the country.
5. Hyderabad
Famous for its biryani, Hyderabad was founded in 1591 by the Qutb Shahis. It has a rich Mughlai-Deccani culture evident in its architecture. It was the Nizam’s capital and is now Telangana’s capital.
Its population is around 9.8 million in the metro area. The population is the key driving factor of its very dynamic economy. With an estimated GDP of over $83.5 billion, it’s a major global IT and pharmaceutical hub.
6. Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, Gujarat’s largest city, has a metro population of around 8.2 million and an estimated GDP of over $68 billion. It’s a powerhouse for business and industries. Historically known as the ‘Manchester of India’ for its textiles.
Today, key sectors also include pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and engineering. Thanks to major corporate headquarters like the Adani Group, Ahmedabad has become one of the biggest cities in India.
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7. Surat
Surat has a metropolitan population of nearly 7 million and a GDP of approximately $60 billion. The city is known as the world’s Diamond City. It is cutting and polishing about 42% of the world’s diamonds.
It is also a major Textile Hub, commonly called “Silk City”. A centre for the petrochemical industries. All of these sectors have made it one of India’s fastest-growing and most dynamic commercial cities.
8. Chennai
Chennai is the Detroit of Asia. It is a major hub for the automobile industry. The city alone accounts for 30% of India’s automobile industry and 35% of automobile components manufacturers. According to TIDCO’s data, Chennai is one of the top five centres in the world in the automobile and components industry.
It is also a key centre for Information Technology, electronics manufacturing, and financial services. A prominent port city, it drives the economy of South India. The city is the epicenter of culture where south meets north and tradition meets future.
9. Kolkata
Kolkata, the cultural capital of India, is the primary financial and commercial hub of Eastern India. Its metropolitan area is one of the most populous in the nation, with an estimated population of over 15 million people.
The city contributes significantly to the national economy. Its Metropolitan GDP (PPP) is estimated at around ₹124.5 crore. As of 2025, Kolkata accounts for approximately 2.8% to 3.5% of India’s GDP.
10. Pune
As the Oxford of the East and the epicenter of Maratha culture, Pune warrants its place among the biggest cities in India. Pune has more than 40 universities and over 800 colleges. It is one of the biggest clusters of educational institutions in the world. It is also the birthplace of Badminton.
Pune is consistently ranked high in national surveys. The city offers a desirable quality of life to its residents. Its pleasant climate, relatively lower cost of living, and cosmopolitan culture are perfect for people from every walk of life.
11. Lucknow
The Nawabi city of India, Lucknow, is the capital of Uttar Pradesh. It is celebrated as a cultural hub renowned for its courtly manners (‘tehzeeb’), exquisite cuisine, and historic architecture like the Bara Imambara. It remains a key center for administration, education, and commerce in North India.
The city proper covers an area of approximately 631² km (244 sq mi, making it one of the biggest cities in India by area size. The estimated population density of Lucknow is around 6,300 people per km²(16,000 per sq mi). It is one of the most populous and largest cities in the country.
12. Indore
Another addition to the biggest cities in India by area, Indore, is the largest city in Madhya Pradesh. It is a major commercial and educational hub, often called ‘Mini Mumbai’ for its bustling economy.
It is highly acclaimed for its commitment to cleanliness, having been ranked as India’s cleanest city multiple times. The municipal area of Indore covers approximately 530 square kilometres. Its population density is considered high among central Indian cities, reflecting its status as a densely populated metropolitan area.
13. Bhopal
Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, is affectionately known as the “City of Lakes” for its numerous natural and artificial water bodies, like the iconic Upper Lake (Bhojtal). The city has a municipal area of about 463 sq km.
Economically, Bhopal has an estimated GDP per capita of $8.2 thousand (2020), with Trade and Transportation and Manufacturing being significant sectors. It’s a growing industrial and educational hub.
14. Meerut
Meerut is a historic city that played a major part in Indian history. It is famous as the starting point of the 1857 Indian Rebellion. Today, Meerut is known as the “Sports City of India”. Its economy is robustly based on manufacturing, which includes sports goods, musical instruments, tyres, and textiles, and also services.
Factors like its strategic location in the National Capital Region (NCR), fertile surrounding agricultural land, and good connectivity drive its growth. But challenges like infrastructure deficits and pollution have a huge negative effect on its potential.
15. Jaipur
Jaipur is one of the most populous cities in the country. The city’s population is estimated to be over 3 million. Its growth is driven by its role as a key administrative centre and a tourism hub. It is also a centre for trade, commerce, and handicrafts, like gemstone cutting and jewellery.
Jaipur is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its striking pink-hued architecture. It is also India’s first planned city, founded in 1727. It’s famous for magnificent forts like Amer Fort, palaces, and bustling bazaars. All of these help in making it a major tourist destination.
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Conclusion:
The biggest cities in India are diverse powerhouses, each leading in a specific domain—be it area, population, or economic output. The analysis shows that cities like Delhi excel in size, Mumbai dominates in population and GDP, while tech hubs like Bengaluru and manufacturing centers like Chennai drive key sectors. This variety highlights that India’s urban landscape isn’t defined by a single metric, but by a combination of geographical, demographic, and economic strengths.
Ultimately, whether you define a city as “biggest” by its sprawling urban area, its dense population, or its substantial contribution to the national GDP, a core group of 15 metropolitan hubs consistently emerges. These cities are the primary engines of India’s growth and development. They play critical roles in the country’s economy as the biggest cities in India.
FAQs
1. What is the estimated total GDP of all Indian cities combined?
The combined GDP (PPP) of India’s top 10 metropolitan areas is estimated to be over $1.1 trillion.
2. Which city is known as the ‘Cultural Capital of India ’?
Kolkata is widely known as the Cultural Capital of India. It is celebrated for its artistic and literary heritage.
3. Which major city is geographically located closest to Pakistan?
Ahmedabad is the closest major metropolitan area to the Pakistan border.
