A community based dietary survey was carried out in 906 adults (25-64 yr) from 489 families in Delhi urban population and 275 adults from 196 families in rural population of Gurgaon district (Haryana state). A combination of 24 h recall and weightment method was used to assess the individual dietary intake. Daily average intake of various nutrients was calculated. A higher intake of cereals, milk and milk products and sugar and jaggery and a lower intake of pulses, vegetables, fruits, flesh foods and oils and fats were observed in the rural population. The average total calorie intake was 1,749 kcal in the urban and 1,910 in the rural population. The average intake of carbohydrates and proteins was 257.3 g (59.0 en %) and 54.7 g (12.5 en %) in the urban population compared to 295.6 g (61.9 en %) and 63.0 g (13.2 en %) respectively in the rural group. The fat intake was the lowest in the urban low socio-economic group (45.5 g). The contribution of total fat to energy intake ranged from 24.6 en to 31.2 en per cent in different population groups. The rural group showed higher intake of calcium and iron than the urban population. Intake of retinol was higher in the high socio-economic group (urban) than other population groups. Urban/rural differences were observed in intake of retinol, thiamine, niacin, vitamin C and vitamin E. Daily dietary cholesterol intake was the highest in the urban high socio-economic group (119 mg). The fibre intake was higher in the urban than the rural population (8.0 g vs 7.4 g).