Short stature (SS) is a common pediatric problem and it might be the first sign of underlying illness. Studies documenting the burden and etiological profile of SS are scarce from India and are mostly limited to data obtained from tertiary care referral centers. Due to the lack of community‑based and peripheral health institution related studies utilizing a standard protocol, the present study aimed to assess etiological profile of SS in two district hospitals of Kashmir valley. Method:In this prospective study, children aged 4–16 years attending hospitals underwent anthropometric measurements and height was plotted in IAP 2015 growth chart. The cause of SS was assessed using clinical and laboratory evaluations in assigned children with a height less than 2SD. Results: A total of 320 children belonging to two districts were evaluated, and it was identified that constitutional delay in growth and familial SS were the most common cause of SS in the study population (55.9%). Hypothyroidism, skeletal dysplasia and growth hormone deficiency were the most common pathological causes of SS seen in 11.6 , 7 and 4.6% children, respectively. Systemic diseases and type 1 DM were cause of short stature in 6 and 4.6 % children. As a significant percentage of children with SS had correctable causes, monitoring growth with a standard growth chart should be mandatory in all schools and anthropometry should be carried out in all children visiting hospitals