Introduction: Hemodynamic stability is very much important during induction of general anaesthesia in surgical patients. Our present study was done to compare haemodynamic parameters and side effects (myoclonus and nausea / vomiting) for induction of general anaesthesia by etomidate and thiopentone in surgical patients. Materials and Methods: The 80 patients aged between 18 to 60 years recruited for the study were allocated randomly to one of the two groups:– Group ‘T’:– comprised of 40 patients induced with injection thiopentone 5 mg/kg intravenous for induction of general anaesthesia. Group ‘E’:– comprised of 40 patients induced with injection etomidate 0.3 mg/kg intravenous for induction of general anaesthesia. Results: The time of induction with injection etomidate was found to be significantly shorter in comparison to injection thiopentone. Etomidate is characterised by good cardiovascular stability compared to thiopentone. Post operative nausea and vomiting was less in thiopentone group as compared to etomidate group. Conclusion: Etomidate can be used as a safe, haemodynamically stable and effective alternative to thiopentone for induction of general anaesthesia.