India, a country known for its rich history, diverse culture, and rapid economic growth, boasts a landscape dotted with a multitude of cities, each with its own unique character and significance. From bustling metropolises to serene towns nestled amidst picturesque landscapes, India’s cities offer a tapestry of experiences, reflecting the country’s vibrant heritage and dynamic present.
Although India is a country of villages, the landscape is rapidly evolving due to the rapid development of its cities. People from villages are migrating to cities for better education, healthcare and other opportunities. The government’s focus on creating smart cities has fueled it too.
Cities play a crucial role as centers of culture, commerce, and administration, contributing significantly to the socio-economic fabric of a country. Cities are most commonly categorized by Tier. Although the tier system in India is not a formal government classification but most commonly used by businesses, marketers, researchers, and policymakers to understand and categorize cities based on various socio-economic factors.
The tier system offers a convenient way to understand the hierarchy and characteristics of cities across the country. The tier system is based on the development of the city, population density, availability of healthcare facilities, educational institutions etc.
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Here is the tier-wise list of cities.
Tier-I Cities
There are 8 Tier 1 cities in India. These cities are the most developed and economically advanced cities with good education and healthcare accessibility.
- Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Bangalore, Karnataka
- Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Delhi, Delhi
- Hyderabad, Telangana
- Kolkata, West Bengal
- Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Pune, Maharashtra
Tier-II Cities
There are 20 Tier 2 cities in India. They are smaller and less developed cities. Tier 2 cities have been playing a significant role in the overall economic and social landscape of India. They mainly serve manufacturing, information technology, education, healthcare, and tourism.
- Agra, Uttar Pradesh
- Ajmer, Rajasthan
- Amritsar, Punjab
- Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
- Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Chandigarh, Chandigarh
- Faridabad, Haryana
- Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
- Jaipur, Rajasthan
- Jamshedpur, Jharkhand
- Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
- Kochi, Kerala
- Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- Mysore, Karnataka
- Nagpur, Maharashtra
- Patna, Bihar
- Raipur, Chhattisgarh
- Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir
- Surat, Gujarat
- Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Tier-III Cities
Tier 3 cities are the cities that are less developed or have a lower population compared to Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. The are smaller but still plays significant role in country’s economy and development.
- Bikaner, Rajasthan
- Cuttack, Odisha
- Etawah, Uttar Pradesh
- Gandhinagar, Gujarat
- Hajipur, Bihar
- Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh
- Junagadh, Gujarat
- Madurai, Tamil Nadu
- Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
- Meerut, Uttar Pradesh
- Nashik, Maharashtra
- Rohtak, Haryana
- Salem, Tamil Nadu
- Udaipur, Rajasthan
- Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
Download the Cities List in Excel
Click on the button below to download complete list with their Tier status and population.
Priya Bansal is a seasoned education writer with a passion for creating insightful and engaging content. With a background in education and a knack for research, she excels at producing articles, blogs, and resources that inform and inspire. Priya’s work contributes to the enrichment of educational discourse and empowers learners of all ages.
