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Objectives of the study were to determine the severity of malocclusion, orthodontic treatment needs and variation in malocclusion with respect to age and sex (gender) in 12 and 15 years age-group children in rural and backward areas of Haryana, India. A sample of 1322 school children (12 and 15 years of age) was selected randomly. Severity of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment needs were assessed according to dental aesthetic index (DAI) criteria (WHO). All the 10 components of DAI were assessed. Clinical examination was performed by single examiner. The data for each child was coded and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 13, Chi Square and Student t-tests. 23.6% of the subjects had dental anomaly, ranging from mild to severe. Percentage of medium, high, and very high treatment needs in children was 15.1, 4.9, and 3.6% respectively. 76.4% children had little or no malocclusion and 23.6% children were in need of treatment which reveals that the influence of civilization has reached rural and backward areas.