Introduction: The lifetime prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among adolescents around the world is currently estimated to range from 5%-70%, with an Indian study reporting no depression among college going adolescents. Objectives: This cross-sectional randomized study was conducted to determine prevalence of current depressive, anxiety and stress related symptoms on a Dimensional and Categorical basis among adolescents in Ranchi city of India. Methods: A stratified sample of 500 students was selected to be representative of the city’s adolescent college going population (n=50,000). Data was obtained using Depression, Stress and Anxiety Scale to assess symptoms on dimensional basis and using Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview to diagnose on categorical basis. Comparisons were also made between professional and non-professional course students on dependent variables. Results: Mean age of adolescents was 22.3 years with average education of 15.7 years. Ranging from mild-extremely severe, depressive symptoms were present in 19.5% of the population, anxiety in 24.4% and stress in 11.1%. Clinical depression was present in 12.1% and generalized anxiety disorder in 19.0%. Professional course students had significantly higher (p<0.01) depression, anxiety and stress on both the DASS and MINI when compared to the non-professional course students. Conclusion: Detecting depressive, anxiety and stress related symptoms in an adolescent population are a critical preventive strategy; to avoid damage to the learning process, it should be followed with further referral for an appropriate diagnosis and treatment to specialized psychiatry centers. Health policies must integrate adolescents' depression, stress and anxiety as a disorder of public health significance.