This article discusses the urban housing situation in India using the data from Census and NSS Housing Condition Rounds, and it also estimates the urban housing shortages in 2012 by Caste and Ethnic groups, following the methodology of the Technical Group on Urban Housing Shortage, 2012–17 (TG-12). The TG-12 estimated the number of urban households to be 81.35 million and urban housing shortage to be 18.78 million in 2012. Households living in congested conditions were found to be one of the main factors leading to these housing shortages. Households from economically weaker sections and lower income groups accounted majorly for these shortages. Among caste and ethnic groups, housing shortages were found to be high for Scheduled Caste households than Scheduled Tribe and other households, mainly on account of congestion factor. The results suggest the need for attention towards urban housing with targeted group-specific policies (economic and social) and socio-spatial perspective to eradicate shelter deprivation and to enhance the quality of life of the people in urban India.