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• Total 14 shrubs, 17 climbers & 30 herbs species were found in different sites. • Understory population was higher in degraded forest. • Soil macro and micro nutrients was lowest in the degraded forest. • Herb community dominated the understory stratum. • Degraded forest seems to be hostile for understory than other forest stands. The present study deals with the understory structure, diversity, and soil macro and micronutrients in various forest stands of the Duldula forest in northern Chhattisgarh. Forest stands include four natural (dense, moderately dense, regenerated, and degraded forests) and one plantation (teak). Stratified random sampling methods were used to evaluate the phytosociological attributes of shrubs, climbers, and herbs in various forest stands. Soil samples were analyzed for macro and micronutrients at two different depths (0–10 cm and 10–20 cm). A total of 14 shrubs, 17 climbers, and 30 herb species representing 9, 8, and 12 families, respectively were recorded from various forest stands. The total density value of shrubs, climbers, and herbs ranged between 600 and 1760 individuals ha−1, 320–5240 individuals ha−1, and 356,000–684,000 individuals ha−1, respectively for different forest stands. Shannon index values for shrub, climber, and herb ranged between 0.78–2.88, 1.68–2.45, and 2.57–3.59, respectively. The soil of the study area was found to be acidic in nature with moderate levels of organic carbon (%), macro, and micronutrient status. Considering the total density value of various forests stands highest number of shrubs, climbers, and herbs were recorded in degraded forests which indicates the process of degradation facilitates the growth of understory vegetation in comparison to tree species. In most cases, the soil attributes were higher in dense forests. This, therefore, indicates that sustainable management of the soil is essential for the restoration of degraded forests to a natural condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]