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ABSTRACT The present study aimed to compare skin colour, hair colour, and hair type among college students from Punjab and Manipur, two regions with distinct genetic and ecological backgrounds.A cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 college students, including 100 participants each from Punjab and Manipur. Somatoscopic observations were carried out under natural daylight conditions. Skin colour was assessed using Luschan's skin colour chart, while hair colour and hair texture were evaluated using the Fischer-Saller and Martin-Saller classification systems, respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test to assess regional differences. Students from Punjab exhibited greater variability in somatoscopic traits, with brown skin (50%), dark brown hair (57%), and wavy hair (72%) being the most prevalent characteristics. In contrast, students from Manipur showed marked homogeneity, predominantly displaying yellow-whitish skin (92%), black hair (87%), and straight hair (88%). The differences in skin colour, hair colour, and hair type between the two regions were statistically significant (p < 0.0001). The findings demonstrate clear regional variation in somatoscopic traits between Punjab and Manipur, reflecting differences in genetic background and environmental influences. These region-specific phenotypic patterns have important implications for population studies and forensic identification, particularly in medico-legal contexts.