Introduction: Preterm birth (PTB) it has a major and significant direct and indirect effect on the economy of the nation. The use of various biophysical & biochemical markers have been used for prediction of PTB. Aim: To compare the two rapid qualitative (QL) assays in cervicovaginal secretions as predictors of preterm birth in symptomatic women. Methods: 120 women with symptoms and signs of preterm labor (PTL) were recruited and cervicovaginal secretions were collected for qualitative assessment of –hCG and pIGFBP–1 at admission and subsequently managed as per hospital protocol till delivery. Results: –hCG assay was highly specific for predicting preterm birth (PTB) before 37 weeks (sensitivity of 72%, specificity 94.7%, PPV 74.6%, NPV 94%) and more sensitive for predicting PTB before 34 weeks of gestation (sensitivity 89.55%, specificity 35.6%, PPV 88.95%, NPV 37%). The sensitivity, specificity, NPV and PPV for predicting PTB within 48 hours were 86.4%, 81.6%, 91.2% and 73.1%; within 7 days were 83%, 88.1%, 86.8% and 84.6%; and within 14 days were 71.6%, 92.5%, 72.1% and 92.3% respectively. Conclusion: Both –hCG and pIGFBP–1 assays were equally accurate (high NPV) in predicting PTB before 37 weeks in symptomatic women. The pIGFBP–1 was better in predicting PTB before 34 weeks, within 48 hours, 7 days & 14 days. βhCG assay may be preferred in low resource countries because of low cost, universal availability and equivalent predictive abilities for PTB in symptomatic women.