BACKGROUND: Fine needle aspiration cytology in conjunction with clinical and radiological findings helps to rapidly provide the best possible initial assessment of lesion. The salivary glands, due to their superficial nature, are eminently accessible to FNAC and material is usually obtained easily. METHODS: The study involved 180 cases of salivary gland swellings of patients who underwent FNAC in our institution. FNAC was performed using 22 gauge needle and 10ml plastic syringe with a detachable syringe holder (Franzen handle). In each case, three to four smears were made. One stained with Giemsa stain , one with papanicolaou and other kept unstained for any further required stain. RESULTS: A total of 180 cases were included in the study.Non– neoplastic lesions accounted for 66.12 %, benign 28.33% and malignant lesions accounted for 5.55% in present study. Chronic Sialadenitis was the most common non neoplastic lesion in the present study, seen in 28.33% cases followed by sialadenosis(16.12%) cases and acute sialadenitis in 5.56% cases. In benign neoplastic lesions, pleomorphic adenoma was the most common lesion seen in 25% cases followed by Warthin’s tumour in 2.77% cases. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most common malignant neoplasm seen in 2.22% cases. CONCLUSION: FNAC of salivary gland is a simple , cheap, safe and reliable technique in the diagnosis of salivary gland lesions with minimal complications.