AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the MERI score and categorise the patients into mild, moderate and severe MERI and study the relation between MERI and outcome of tympanoplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS:           The study consisted of 50 patients undergoing tympanoplasty for mucosal or squamous type of CSOM. The MERI score was calculated. The patients were categorised into those with mild, moderate and severe MERI. The graft uptake status was assessed. The relation between MERI score and graft status was assessed by T test. RESULTS:           The overall graft uptake was 76%. Patients with a high MERI score have lower rate of graft uptake which is statistically significant with a P value of 0.031.     CONCLUSION:           MERI score is a prognostic tool to predict the outcome of tympanoplasty. It has an inverse relation with graft uptake status. Based on MERI score, the chances for surgical success should be explained to the patient.