Using L x T mating design with three CMS lines and seven elite testers the general combining ability (GCA) of parents and specific combining ability (SCA) of crosses were carried out for grain yield and its attributes. The SCA variance recorded greater than the GCA variance for grain yield and yield components, suggesting the preponderance of dominance and epistatic gene action in expression of these traits. The line CRMS 31 A and IR 79156 A were recorded as good combiners for head rice recovery per cent. The tester NPT 80-1 was good general combiner for grain yield per plant and TO X 981-11-2-3 for both grain yield per plant and head rice recovery per cent. Whereas, the tester R 1244-1246-1-605-1 was recorded as best general combiner for head rice recovery per cent. The cross combinations APMS 6 A/ET 1-13, CRMS 31 A/ET 1-12 and IR 79156 A/ NPT 80-

1 were found to be outstanding with respect to grain yield per plant, head rice recovery per cent and spikelets per panicle whereas, APMS 6 A/NPT 2-2-694-1 was good combiner for head rice recovery per cent. Considering the pollen fertility and spikelets fertility per cent of prime importance for development of maintainer lines, crosses APMS 6 A/ NPT 2-2-694-1 and APMS 6 A/ ET 1-13 might be utilized in three line breeding system