In the steam reforming catalysts for hydrocarbons according to the present invention, the active catalytic component is supported on a carrier material which is selected from a group consisting of zirconia, alumina, magnesia, silica, calcium oxide, lanthana, ceria and compounds or mixtures thereof. The catalyst can be operated with a wide range of hydrocarbon feed stocks, for instance natural gas to kerosene at various temperature and steam to carbon ratio. The catalyst in which zirconia is added as one of the support materials was most effective for adiabatic steam reforming of light and heavy hydrocarbon feed stocks upto kerosene. The zirconia containing catalyst exhibited higher activity, lower carbon deposition, high thermal stability and high retained mechanical strength even for operation with heavy feed stocks in the inlet temperature range 400-550°C and lower steam to carbon ratios. Presence of cobalt or palladium exhibited a promoting effect towards improving the activity in the inlet temperature range 380-420°C.