Staphylococcus aureus is among the predominant pathogens in clinical practice. Small colony variants(SCV) of staphylococci are regarded as one of the mechanisms for resisting therapy that extends beyond the classic forms of resistance. They are slowgrowing subpopulations of Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) which are often associated with persistent or recurrent infections and frequently missed for diagnosis. The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of SCV of S.aureus among clinical specimens received from in-patients and out-patients attending attached hospitals of a tertiary care centre. Methodology: The present study was undertaken as a laboratory-based descriptive study, carried out in the Department of Microbiology in a tertiary care hospital over two years from May 2018 to April 2020. After obtaining ethicalclearance for the study, a total of 1000 consecutive S.aureus isolates from different clinical samples routinely received in the laboratory from outpatient and inpatient departments were screened for SCVs. The clinical specimens were processed as per standard microbiological protocols. Phenotypic characters were noted along with auxotrophy and antimicrobial susceptibility. The isolates were also characterized by molecular methods for nuc and mec A genes. Results: 6 isolates of SCV were noted during the study among clinical specimens, 4being HA-MRSA and 2 CA-MRSA. All these isolates were found to be methicillin-resistant. The SCVs exhibited delayed coagulase and heminauxtotrophy. nuc and mec A genes were detected by a polymerase chain reaction and confirmed as methicillin-resistant S.aureus. Conclusion: In the present study, 6 isolates of SCV were noted. Detection of SCV poses a challenge in laboratory practice. The high degree of suspicion and meticulous reporting of SCV aid inappropriate management of cases.