Interception of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) by the rice crop at different phenophases is important for growth and yield variation through radiation utilization by the crop. Identification of intercepted PAR at a particular time point is necessary for understanding the role of PAR. An experiment on rice cultivar Satabdi was conducted at B.C.K.V, West Bengal, India. Twenty five days old seedlings were transplanted from 1st to 29th July at 7 days interval during 2007 and 2008. Interception of PAR was measured at 7.30, 9.30, 11.30, 13.30 and 15.30 h at tillering, panicle initiation, emergence and 100% flowering. Dry matter, yield attributes, yield and PAR use efficiency were estimated. The delay in transplanting reduced the leaf, stem and root dry matter. The mean PAR use efficiency ranged from 3.17 to 3.7 g MJ-1 when transplanted within 15th July. Yield attributes and grain yield were reduced with the delay in transplanting. The PAR use efficiency for grain production was drastically reduced after 15th July transplanting. The interception of PAR at 7.30, 9.30 and 15.30 h had a significant contribution for dry matter and grain yield of rice. In the eastern Gangetic plains of India, rice should not be transplanted after 15th July.