

Which Is Bigger: Mumbai or Delhi? Area, Population & Exam Relevance
India’s Largest City is a fascinating topic in general knowledge, reflecting both vast areas and vibrant urban populations. Whether by land size or the sheer number of people, these cities showcase India's diversity and pace of development. Let's explore how India’s largest city is determined, and discover interesting facts about these urban giants.
How is India’s Largest City Determined?
To decide which is India’s largest city, experts look at two main aspects: population and geographic area. Both measures offer unique insights. A city might have the biggest area but not the largest population, or vice versa. Understanding these differences helps in learning about India’s cities and their significance in daily life and general knowledge quizzes.
Population reflects how many people live in the city, making it “largest” in terms of residents.
Area refers to the physical size of the city, measured in square kilometres.
Some cities top the charts in one aspect but not in the other.
Explore India’s largest states for more GK facts
India’s Largest City by Population (2024)
When people ask, “What is India’s largest city by population?”, the answer is Delhi. Recent estimates show Delhi has overtaken Mumbai as the city with the highest population in India. Population figures help planners and students understand city life, crowding, and urban challenges.
Top 10 Largest Cities in India by Population
| Rank | City | State/UT | Population (2024 Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delhi | Delhi (UT) | 33,807,403 |
| 2 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | 21,673,570 |
| 3 | Kolkata | West Bengal | 15,570,786 |
| 4 | Bangalore | Karnataka | 14,008,262 |
| 5 | Chennai | Tamil Nadu | 12,053,697 |
| 6 | Hyderabad | Telangana | 11,068,877 |
| 7 | Ahmedabad | Gujarat | 8,854,444 |
| 8 | Surat | Gujarat | 8,330,528 |
| 9 | Pune | Maharashtra | 7,345,848 |
| 10 | Jaipur | Rajasthan | 4,308,510 |
Delhi’s rise as India’s largest city by population is notable. Mumbai, long regarded as the country’s bustling business capital, now holds the second place. For more on city nicknames, visit the list of Indian cities and their nicknames.
India’s Largest City by Area
If we see India’s largest city by area, the answer is Delhi with an area of around 1,484 square kilometres. This makes the national capital not just populous but also India’s biggest city by land area. Others like Bangalore and Pune follow when comparing the area covered by city boundaries.
Delhi – 1,484 sq. km (Largest city in India by area)
Bangalore – 741 sq. km
Pune – 700 sq. km
Other large cities include Hyderabad and Ahmedabad
Discover India’s biggest districts area-wise
Top 10 Largest Cities in India by Area
| Rank | City | State/UT | Area (sq. km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delhi | Delhi (UT) | 1,484 |
| 2 | Bangalore | Karnataka | 741 |
| 3 | Pune | Maharashtra | 700 |
| 4 | Hyderabad | Telangana | 650 |
| 5 | Ahmedabad | Gujarat | 505 |
| 6 | Chennai | Tamil Nadu | 426 |
| 7 | Kolkata | West Bengal | 205 |
| 8 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | 603 |
| 9 | Jaipur | Rajasthan | 485 |
| 10 | Surat | Gujarat | 326 |
Understanding the area of Indian cities is important for competitive exams and general knowledge. If you are interested in the largest states, check out the largest states of India on Vedantu.
Top 20 Largest Cities in India
Some students also want a list of the top 20 largest cities in India, by area and population. It’s useful for studies, crosswords, and general awareness. Remember, India’s largest city crossword clues often refer to either Delhi or Mumbai, depending on what is asked—population or area.
Delhi
Mumbai
Kolkata
Bangalore
Chennai
Hyderabad
Ahmedabad
Surat
Pune
Jaipur
Lucknow
Kanpur
Nagpur
Bhopal
Visakhapatnam
Agra
Thane
Indore
Vadodara
Patna
Learn about Madhya Pradesh, the heart of India
Interesting Facts about India’s Largest City
Until 1995, the largest city in India called ‘Bombay’ is now known as Mumbai. Delhi is currently both India’s largest city by area and by population. These cities are also important for national administration, finance, and culture. India’s largest city by area, Delhi, covers nearly twice the size of Bangalore.
Mumbai was officially renamed from Bombay in 1995.
India’s largest city by population crossword answers are usually “Delhi” or “Mumbai”.
Delhi is also the second largest city in India when considering different urban definitions.
India’s largest city list may change with new census data.
Read more about Bangalore, India’s ‘Garden City’
Why Knowing India’s Largest City Matters
For students, competitive exam aspirants, and curious minds, knowing about India’s largest city is essential. These facts connect to history, economics, and everyday life. You may also need this data for crosswords or general knowledge quizzes. Vedantu offers resources and facts for your learning journey.
Explore more GK facts about world geography
India’s largest city can be ranked by both area (Delhi) and population (also Delhi as of 2024, followed by Mumbai). These rankings change with new data and census updates. Exploring such facts boosts your general knowledge and helps you understand urban growth across the nation.
FAQs on India’s Largest City: Population, Area, and Key Facts
1. Which is the largest city in India by population?
Mumbai is the largest city in India by population. According to the latest estimates, Mumbai has over 20 million residents, making it India’s biggest urban agglomeration by people. Key facts include:
- Mumbai’s population: approximately 20.9 million (2023 estimate)
- Located in Maharashtra
- Also known as Bombay until 1995
- Popular exam topic for CBSE and UPSC
2. Which is the largest city in India by area?
Delhi is the largest city in India by area. Covering around 1,484 square kilometers, Delhi NCR is India's biggest metropolitan region in terms of geographical size.
- Area of Delhi: 1,484 km² (including NCR)
- Mumbai is smaller by area but larger by population
- Important for CBSE GK and SSC exams
3. What defines a megacity in India?
A megacity is an urban area with a population over 10 million people. In India, this term is used for rapidly growing urban hubs.
- Indian megacities: Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai
- Key feature: Large population and urban sprawl
- Frequently asked in competitive exams
4. Which city was earlier known as Bombay?
Mumbai was earlier known as Bombay. The official name changed to Mumbai in 1995.
- Bombay was renamed Mumbai to honor local heritage
- Located in the state of Maharashtra
- Common question in GK and History exams
5. Is Mumbai the biggest city in India?
Mumbai is the biggest Indian city by population, but not by area. While Mumbai leads in population, Delhi is largest by land area. For exam purposes:
- Mumbai: Most populous
- Delhi: Largest by area
- Both are classified as megacities
6. Which is richer, Mumbai or Delhi?
Mumbai is generally considered the richest city in India due to its high GDP, financial institutions, and headquarters of major companies.
- Mumbai: Commercial and financial capital
- Delhi: Administrative and political center
- Both cities have high economic activity, but Mumbai’s GDP is higher
7. What is the difference between Mumbai and Delhi in terms of area and population?
The main difference is Mumbai has a larger population, while Delhi covers more area.
- Mumbai: Population ~20.9 million, Area 603 km²
- Delhi: Population ~19.8 million, Area 1,484 km²
- Mumbai is denser; Delhi is geographically bigger
8. Name the top 5 largest cities in India by area.
The five largest cities in India by area are:
- Delhi (~1,484 km²)
- Bangalore (~741 km²)
- Hyderabad (~650 km²)
- Mumbai (~603 km²)
- Ahmedabad (~505 km²)
- Area-based ranking is frequently tested in CBSE and SSC exams
9. What are some important facts about Kolkata and Chennai among Indian cities?
Kolkata and Chennai are both classified as megacities in India, each with significant population and economic roles.
- Kolkata: Formerly Calcutta, major cultural and economic hub
- Chennai: Major IT and automobile hub, in Tamil Nadu
- Population: Each over 10 million (2023 est.)
10. Which is the second largest city in India by population?
Delhi is the second largest city in India by population. It has close to 19.8 million people as of 2023 estimates.
- First: Mumbai (~20.9 million)
- Second: Delhi (~19.8 million)
- Delhi is also India’s capital city
11. What are the main GK questions asked about Indian cities in CBSE and UPSC exams?
Common GK questions about Indian cities include:
- Largest city by area and population
- Definitions and examples of megacities
- City name changes (e.g., Bombay to Mumbai)
- Top 5 cities by size and economic ranking
- These topics are relevant for CBSE, UPSC, and SSC exams



















