Asansol is a city located in the Indian state of West Bengal. It serves as the district headquarters for Paschim Bardhaman and holds the status of the second largest city in the state. By population, it is recognized as the 33rd largest urban agglomeration in India.
The city is classified as a "Tier-II" city and is categorized as a Y-category city for the calculation of House Rent Allowance (HRA) for public servants. In a 2010 report by the International Institute for Environment and Development, Asansol was ranked as the 11th fastest-growing city in India and the 42nd fastest-growing city globally.