STUDY DESIGN : Retrospective study OBJECTIVE : to discuss the relationship between degenerative cervical myelopathy and vitamin B12 deficiency in indian vegetarian population. METHODS : a retrospective case study was carried out at Government Doon Medical College, Dehradun , a tertiary level hospital. RESULTS : in the study of 135 patients, 64 were found to having vit B 12 deficiency. 56 patients out of these were vegetarians. CONCLUSION: Vitamin B12 deficiency is found in significant number of patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy. Significant association was found with vegetarian diet. Vitamin B12 level optimization can improve results of surgical outcome. Routine assessment of Vit B12 levels in vegetarian patient in cases of degenerative cervical myelopathy is considered.