India’s top 15 cities with the highest GDP A large skilled labour force, growth in manufacturing sectors and considerable foreign investments rank India as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. The economic growth rate of the country is at 6.5% for 2011-12 and the CIA World Factbook estimated the GDP of India to be $4463 billion derived from purchasing power parity as of 2011. (The GDP figures listed below are based on 2008 statistics)

1.       1. Mumbai

India’s economic powerhouse, Mumbai not only contributes the highest GDP of $209 billion but is also responsible for 25% of industrial output, 70% of maritime trade in India and 70% of capital transactions to the nation’s economy.

Known as the industrial hub of India, the city operates sectors from textiles to petrochemicals and serves as the headquarters for many companies. Important financial institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India, Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange of India occupy the land of Mumbai.

The city houses around 14 million people from various backgrounds. This metropolitan city has beautiful colonial architecture, double-decker buses and suburban rail system which carry about 2.2 billion passengers every year.

(photo credit: ThinkStock)

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2.       2. Delhi

The national capital contributes the second highest GDP of $167 billion. With a large consumer market, the city has been successful in attracting foreign direct investments.

Delhi is known for its fastest growing retail industries and the city’s economy consists of integral sectors like construction, power, telecommunications, health and community services and real estate.

Delhi has a population of 16.3 million as of 2011. This metropolitan city has a large expatriate population in the country.

Considered as one of the biggest commercial center in South Asia, Delhi’s transport system includes buses, auto rickshaws and metro rail.

(photo credit: Getty Images)

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3.       3. Kolkata

The capital of West Bengal, Kolkata contributes a GDP of about $150 billion after the highest from Mumbai and Delhi. This city houses many industrial units and steel, mining, cement, pharmaceuticals, food processing, agriculture, textiles and jute are the major sectors responsible for economic growth.

The city is one of the important financial hubs of East and North-East India and houses the Calcutta Stock Exchange.

The city has around 4.5 million residents and attracts many tourists for its stunning architecture.

Kolkata is the only city in eastern India to have an international airport. Cycle rickshaws and metro rail has plays an important role in the city’s transport system.

(photo credit: Reuters Pictures)

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4.       4. Bangalore

The garden city of India contributes GDP of $83 billion. It is popularly known as the Silicon Valley of India as many information technology companies are set up in the city.

Many reputed corporate companies like Wipro and Infosys and several public undertakings like Indian Space Research Organisation and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited are headquartered in the city. It also considered a hub for the biotechnology sector.

With an estimated population of 8.5 million, the city is the third largest in terms of high net worth individuals. Bangalore is a multicultural city where people flock in and out for its pleasant climate and various tourist attractions.

The city’s transport system includes buses, taxis, autos and metro and the transport infrastructure business however, has major scope for growth.

(photo credit: ThinkStock)

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5.       5. Hyderabad

The capital of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad contributes a GDP of about $74 billion. Information technology, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology industries are the main sectors which contribute to its economic growth.

The city has the highest number of special economic zones among all the cities in the country.

Hyderabad has a large informal economy that employs 30% of the labour force. It is known for its Genome Valley and other technology parks.

The city has a population of 6.8 million and is noted for its unique culture. It is a tourist destination for many interesting monuments, museums and bazaars.

As a hub for education and research, this city has about 13 universities and business schools. It is also known for the development of a township with technological infrastructure.

(photo credit: ThinkStock)

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6.       6. Chennai

The capital of Tamil Nadu contributes a GDP of $66 billion. The city is considered as the country’s second largest exporter of information technology and business process outsourcing services. The automobile sector is based in the city is the backbone of the economy.

Automobile, computer, technology, hardware manufacturing and healthcare sectors includes Chennai’s major business activities. The city is a host to many textile manufacturers and the Southern suburb of the city acts as a special economic zone to manufacture apparel and footwear.

This fourth largest metropolitan city in the country has a population of 8.9 million people.

Chennai is sometimes referred to as the city of flyovers because this city has the highest number of flyovers in India.

(photo credit: Getty Images)

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7.       7. Ahmedbad

This largest industrial hub in Gujarat contributes a GDP of about $64 billion. The city is a home for the developing textile and garment industry.

Ahmedabad houses two of the largest pharmaceutical companies of India—Zydus Cadila and Torrent Pharmaceuticals and headquarters other important companies like Nirma and Adani Group. The automobile sector plays an important role in the city’s economy.

Ahmedabad has a population of more than 5.5 million and is credited for its architecture, gardens and parks. It is one of the fastest growing cities in India with improved systems of portable water and electricity.

(photo credit: Getty Images)

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8.       8. Pune

The second largest city of Maharashtra, Pune contributes a GDP of $48 billion. Although Pune is known for its educational facilities, the city has developed its manufacturing, glass, sugar and forging industries. Other prominent industries in the city are the automotive and information technology sectors.

The city accommodates automotive companies like Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Mercedes Benz, Force Motors (Firodia-Group), Kinetic Motors to automotive component manufacturers like Saint-Gobain Sekurit, TATA Autocomp Systems Limited, Robert Bosch GmbH, ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Visteon, and Continental Corporation are located here.

According to the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, Pune has been the single largest hub for German companies for the last 60 years.

It has a population of more than 4 million and takes its cultural activities very seriously.

(photo credit: Getty Images)

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9.       9. Surat

The well developed commercial city of Gujarat, Surat has contributed a GDP of $40 billion. The city is popularly known as the diamond capital of the world and the textile capital of India.

Diamond studded gold jewelry and real estate is the new emerging businesses in the city and 92% of the world's diamonds are cut and polished in Surat. Steel, petrochemical and jari manufacturing are among other major industries contributing to the economy.

Apart from having the highest number of embroidery machines in the country, 40% of India’s art silk is manufactured in Surat. The city has a population of more than 4.6 million.

Surat’s infrastructure includes a computerised water distribution system and computerised drainage system.

(photo credit: Urva/ Wikimedia Commons)

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10.    10. Visakhapatnam

The industrial city, Visakhapatnam has contributed a GDP of $26 billion. The city is home for various state owned heavy industries and a steel plants.

Apart from accommodating various international information technologies and banking firms, the city is a hub for iron ore and other minerals which are exported to China and other countries. The fishing and real estate industry has seen a tremendous growth.

The city has a population of over 1 million. It is appreciated for its natural beauty and described as the land of destiny.

(photo credit: Ronaldo Lazzari/Flickr)

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11.    11. Jaipur

The largest city of Rajasthan, Jaipur has contributed a GDP of $24 billion. The city pays importance to both traditional and modern industries. It is a large exporter of stone, diamond and gold jewelry in Asia.

Emerging as one of the main global outsourcing cities, Jaipur is projected to become a hub for modern business development in the coming years.

Jaipur has a population of about 3.1 million. It is popularly known as the Paris of India and The Pink City. The city has remarkable architecture with pre-modern infrastructure.

(photo credit: Getty Images)

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12.    12. Lucknow

The capital city of Uttar Pradesh has contributed a GDP of $22 billion. Aerospace, pharmaceuticals, technology, design and tourism are some of the important industries supporting the city’s financial system.

Information technology, manufacturing and processing is the backbone of the economy. It is also considered as a potential in the handicraft sector and accounts for about 60% of the total exports of the state.

It has a population of about 2.5 million. It is known as a multicultural city which has prospered as the artistic capital of North India. The cityscape was heavily influenced by several emperors and the city portrays its natural charm.

(photo credit: Aleksandr Zykov/Flickr)

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13.    13. Nagpur

The winter capital of Maharashtra has contributed a GDP of $15.1 billion. It is a major trade center for oranges which are cultivated in the city.

The banking sector and food manufacturing sectors are important to the city in terms of finance. It is also considered a major commercial and political center of Maharashtra.

Nagpur is the headquarters for national level scientific and governmental establishments. It is also the home of National Academy of Direct Taxes. Nagpur has a population of 2.5 million. It is recorded as the third largest city of Maharashtra. The city is administered by Nagpur Municipal Corporation and plays a host to cultural events throughout the year.

(photo credit: Koshy K/ Wikimedia Commons)

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14.    14. Indore

The commercial capital and the largest city of Madhya Pradesh, has contributed a GDP of $14 billion. Automobile, pharmaceutical, software, retail, textile trading and real estate are some of the major industrial sectors of the city. Several IT sectors also present in the city.

Indore has a population of approximately 2.3 million. It is the only city which has both an Indian Institute of Management and an Indian Institute of Technology.

Indore’s local transport system includes buses and radio taxis. However, the metro taxi service of Indore is supposed to be best in India. It includes the Government run Maruti Suzuki SX4 Cars, which are GPS enabled and air conditioned.

(photo credit: Srihari Raman/Wikimedia Commons)

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15.    15. Patna

Patna has the highest GDP of $10.5 billion in Bihar. The city has seen a sustained economic growth and agriculture is the backbone of the economy.

The city is an important center for trade and its most active exports includes grains, sugarcane and sesame. Along with green revolution businesses, Patna has one of the fastest moving consumer goods industry and service industry.

This city has a population which estimates over 1.6 million. While tourists visiting the city accounted for 41% of the total for Bihar, the cultural heritage of Patna has attracted many tourists into the city.

(photo credit: Getty Images)

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