AbstractBackgroundThe incidence of cognitive disorders is increasing in India1. Stage II of the preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease (PCAD) is characterised by subjective complaints of decline in cognition, termed Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD)2,3. Objective assessments of cognition is normal in that stage. There are no studies from India that looked at SCD in the community. Our study aims to look at the prevalence of SCD in an urban dwelling elderly population and its correlates.Method418 individuals above the age of 60 were screened using Subjective Memory Complains Questionnaire (SMCQ) and also screened for medical and psychiatric illness. Objective measurement of cognitive functions was done using MOCA.Results372(92.5%) had reported at least 1 subjective complaint using the participant version of the Subjective Memory Complaint Questionnaire(SMCQ). Among those without any reported subjective complaints,17(56.6%) had objective cognitive impairment on assessments. In total,13 (3.49%) had normal cognition and 179(48.12%) of the evaluated subjects had pre‐MCI SCD. There is no statistically significant association between physical health parameters of Diabetes mellitus and Hypertension or any sociodemographic variables except educational attainment. The mean subjective complaints score is lesser and means objective cognition scores are higher in those with higher secondary school educational attainment (p value<0.001) when compared to those who don’t.ConclusionsThere is significant morbidity of cognitive decline in the elderly. Subjective memory complaints are present in most of the elderly(92.5%) and 179(48.12%) had pre‐MCI SCD. SCD is a complex condition that requires further longitudinal studies with biomarker assessment to understand the mechanism of progression to AD.