Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the dermatoglyphic features in children belonging to primary mental retardation and co-relating the findings with previous workers. Methods: Dermatoglyphics obtained from the palm and finger tips in 72 children of primary mental retardation were compared with the similar studies in 72 normal children. These cases were from special institution for mentally retarded children in Pune. Results: The features which showed significant variations included: reduced whorl pattern and increases in ulnar loop on the finger tip, increase frequency of pattern in thenar / I1 and I3 area with distal displacement of axial triradius, higher atd angle, and increase incidence of simian crease. Conclusion: Dermatoglyphics features were noticed in the mentally retarded groups. These are increase ulnar loops on finger tips, decrease in whorl on finger tip, thenar / I1 and I3 area showed significant increase in pattern, higher atd angle, distal shift in axial triradius. It can be assumed that the cases of primary mental retardation could be dermatoglyphically varied from the normal, though the number of cases studied is not enough to make a definite statement.