There are two types of diabetes seen in general population: Type 1 diabetes or juvenile–onset diabetes. It is usually caused by an auto–immune reaction where the body’s defense system attacks the cells that produce insulin, and type 2 diabetes or non–insulin dependent diabetes or adult–onset diabetes. The number of patients with diabetes mellitus has increased four folds in the last three decades worldwide, and diabetes mellitus is the ninth main cause of mortality. Approximately 1 in 11 adults globally now present diabetes mellitus, 90% of them have type 2 diabetes mellitus. Asia is a major region of the rapidly growing type 2 diabetes mellitus global epidemic, with China and India the top two central points. Type 2 diabetes is now a common and serious global health problem, which, for most countries, has evolved in association with rapid cultural and social changes, ageing populations, increasing urbanization, dietary changes, reduced physical activity and other unhealthy lifestyle and behavioral patterns. Given the lifestyle differences in urban and rural population, it is of interest to know the status of type 2 diabetes mellitus in urban and rural population.