A clinical study of speech defects was conducted from January, 1970 to March, 1973. The incidence was higher in males. The maximum incidence was in the age group of 6 to 12 years. Thereafter there was a gradual decline. Delayed speech was the commonest abnormality and was present in 47.8%, defective articulation in 21.6%, stuttering in 15.6%, multiple speech defects in 10.8%, rhinolalia in 2.1% and aphasia in 1.9% of cases. The possible aetiological or associated factors were: mental retardation in 184, impairment of hearing in 143, psychological and environmental factors in 130, cerebral palsy in 24 and cleft palate in 12 cases. Rehabilitation could be attempted in 296 cases with the help of speech therapy, lip reading, auditory training, psychotherapy and physiotherapy.