An experiment was conducted to study the response of four rice varieties (Richharia, Swarna-Sub1, Rajendra masuri and Rajendra suvasini) to various levels of arsenic concentration (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 ppm) on different germination parameters. The germination study was conducted on moist filter paper placed in Petri plates under laboratory conditions with 70% relative humidity. The seeds were surface sterilized with 0.1% mercuric chloride solution and thoroughly washed with distilled water. The germination count was done on 7^th day. Percent germination, germination index and relative germination rate decreased significantly over control with increasing concentration of arsenic. None of the varieties recorded germination at 30 ppm concentration. The arsenic - induced injury was higher in Richharia. Rajendra masuri, Swarna-Sub 1 and Rajendra suvasini recorded more than 50% reduction over control at 10 ppm. Swarna-Sub 1 recorded germination upto 25 ppm. Richharia and Rajendra suvasini were found susceptible after 20 ppm, while Rajendra masuri recorded germination only up to 15 ppm arsenic concentration. Among four varieties, Swarna-Sub 1 was comparatively more tolerant to arsenic injury.