India’s Most Developed Cities

As India journeys towards becoming the world’s third largest economy, its top cities will play a crucial role

Since liberalization, India has been registering strong growth in the last few decades. As per IMF data, it is estimated that India will surpass Japan and Germany to become the world’s 3rd largest economy by 2027-28. Making it possible will be India’s cities that contribute billions to the economy. For students, professionals and businesses, India’s cities offer significant opportunities for growth. Here is a look at some of India’s most developed cities.

Chennai – With a flourishing automobile industry and booming IT and BPO sector, Chennai contributes $66 billion to India’s GDP. Chennai has also emerged as a residential hub and a high-growth real estate market. The city excels in textile manufacturing, apparel and footwear as well. The bustling metropolis is also referred to as the ‘City of Flyovers’, having the highest density of flyovers in the country.

Ahmedabad – The city of Ahmedabad is known for its textile and garment industry. Ahmedabad contributes around $64 billion to India’s economy. Top companies like Adani Group and Nirma have their headquarters in Ahmedabad. The city is also home to large pharmaceutical companies such as Torrent Pharmaceuticals and Zydus Cadila. Ahmedabad offers good living conditions with various gardens and parks and uninterrupted power and water supply. The population is estimated to be around 5.5 million.

Pune – The city of Pune originally developed as a residential hub for retirees. It is also known as an educational hub. GDP contribution is around $48 billion. Pune excels in various sectors such as IT, BPO, automobile, manufacturing and forging industries. The city is home to leading businesses such as Mercedes Benz, Tata Motors, Force Motors, Mahindra and Kinetic Motors. There are several automotive component manufacturers as well such as Tata Autocomp, Saint-Gobain Sekurit, ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Robert Bosch GmbH, Continental Corporation and Visteon. Pune is also regarded as the cultural center of the state of Maharashtra.

Surat – Known for its booming textile and diamond industry, Surat contributes around $40 billion to India’s GDP. In addition to diamond cutting and polishing, Surat is also emerging as a hub for real estate and diamond-studded gold jewelry. Other major industries include petrochemical, steel and jari. It is estimated that around 40% of the country’s art silk is produced in Surat. The city’s development is evident with its automated water management system and digitally controlled drainage network.

Visakhapatnam – Known for its large steel plants and heavy industries, Visakhapatnam contributes $26 billion to India’s GDP. Various minerals including iron ore are extracted from nearby areas, which are exported to overseas destinations such as China. Visakhapatnam is also home to various banking companies and technology firms. With its booming economy, the city’s real estate has been registering strong growth.

These cities will continue to contribute significantly to India’s GDP in the coming years. It is also important to mention other large developed cities in India that have big contributions to India’s GDP. The list includes Hyderabad with a $74 billion GDP contribution, Bengaluru ($83 billion), Kolkata ($150 billion), Delhi ($167 billion) and Mumbai ($278 billion). These are the most developed cities in India.