This cross-sectional community-based study was conducted with the objective of determining the knowledge and awareness of diabetes mellitus among the general population in a metropolitan city in order to plan intervention programmes for early case detection. The respondents were apparently healthy individuals aged 18+ years, of either gender, who were residents of Thane city, Maharashtra, India. The prospective respondents were explained about the study and informed consent was obtained before they were interviewed using a pre-tested, formatted and validated questionnaire containing 20 questions (2 marks per question). A total of 255 persons (males=106; 41.57%; females=149; 58.43%) participated in the study. The gender difference in age of participants was not significant (Z=0.503; p=0.614). Significant gender differences were observed among separated and divorced respondents (Z=2.459; p=0.014); graduates (Z=2.421; p=0.015); retired persons (Z=3.896; p<0.0001) and those employed in the private sector (Z=3.308; p<0.0001). Female respondents obtained significantly higher scores in four out of 20 questions, while the gender differences were not significant for scores in the remaining 16 questions. The findings reveal moderate level of diabetes awareness. Large-scale awareness programmes would be necessary after identifying knowledge gaps