BACKGROUND: Encephalitis is a fatal disease syndrome, where patient usually presents with pyrexia and neurological derangement. This is acute emergency which requires prompt investigations and urgent vigorous management to prevent irreversible neurological damage, particularly when there is rapid deterioration. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To study the spectrum of MRI findings, sensitivity of MR imaging and CSF evaluation and correlation between CSF findings and MRI findings in suspected cases of meningoencephalitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective randomised hospital based study was conducted on 43 patients between 6 months to 80 years of age, irrespective of sex, undergone MR examination in Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan and CSF examination during January 2016 to June 2017. Meningoencephalitis was typically identified as hyperintensities on T2 and FLAIR sequences, showing restriction on DWI which may show contrast enhancement. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 37.02 ± 15.25 SD. 28 (65%) showed abnormal CSF findings. Findings suggestive of viral meningitis were most common (37%), followed by normal (35%), tubercular (21%) and pyogenic (7%). T1 MR sequences showed isointense signals in (86%) cases, T2 and FLAIR sequences showed hyperintense signals in (63%) and (72%), respectively. Most common clinical symptom was pyrexia with alt senorium (23%) and generalized weakness (23%) patients. Most common site of involvement was temporal lobe (33%) and diffuse bilateral cerebral hemisphere (32%). Edema was present in 70% and haemorrhage in 9% cases. CONCLUSION : Apart from routine tests, brain imaging and CSF evaluation are most relevant and mandatory tests to diagnose encephalitis. Accurate and early diagnosis of meningoencephalitis is crucial for effective treatment. MRI is highly sensitive and specific in identifying the underlying etiopathogenesis in meningoencephalitis, because of its high spatial resolution, excellent soft tissue contrast multipanar imaging capability with lack of ionizing radiation as an additional benefit.