Background : Fine needle aspiration cytology is a diagnostic tool in which cells are extracted from a palpable swelling using FNAC gun, syringe and fine needle. It is a simple, speedy, safe, cost effective and accurate technique being used worldwide. Lymphadenopathy is one of the common conditions encountered in clinical practice with varied etiological predispositions. Aim : To know the cytological pattern of tubercular lymphadenitis of this region and correlation with biopsy whenever possible. To evaluate the utility of fine needle aspiration cytology of lymph nodes. Study Setting & Design : This proospective study was conducted at the department of Pathology, of a tertiary healthcare teaching center for a period of three years from October 2000 to January 2003. Materials And Methods : 22 to 23 gauze needle with 10ml disposable syringes were used. Minimum of three stains Hematoxylin & Eosin (H & E) stain, MGG S stain and AFB stain were done. Wherever possible Gram stain was also done. The cytological diagnoses were correlated whenever possible with histopathological examination. Statistical Analysis : The data entry was carried out using Microsoft Office Excel worksheet and was analyzed. Results : Cytological diagnosis of tubercular lymphadenitis was made for 109 cases. The smears were divided into four groups. I. Epithelioid cell clusters with or without Langhan’s giant cells with necrotic material. II. Epithelioid cell clusters with or without Langhan’s giant cell, without necrosis. III. Occasional epithelioid cell collection without typical necrosis giant cells. IV. Only necrotic material, without epithelioid cell clusters or giant cells. The positivity was 16.67%, 7.3%, 11.12% and 50 % for group I, II, III and IV respectively. Conclusion : Fine needle aspiration cytology is an useful technique for evaluation of patients with lympahdneopathies, because of lack of complication and excellent results. The present study is relative sensitive and specific. Diagn