Introduction: Cryptococcus neoformans is the most common opportunistic fungal pathogen that affects the central nervous system and meningitis is caused by Cryptococcusis a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV.1 About 5% of meningeal infections are caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, which is tops among non-tuberculous causes. Be ing the most common opportunistic infection in AIDS patients, it has been reported to account for about 2-7% of all opportunistic infection.2India ink examination for the demonstration of the capsule is the most widely used technique for rapid diagnosis, although it has less sensitivity. Microscopic methods and fungal culture though considered as specific tests they show the sensitivity of 50__ampersandsignndash;80%, and fungal culture takes 2-3 days for the report. Aims and Objective: The present study was carried out to assess the utility of Cryptococcal antigen detection by lateral flow assay (LFA) for the diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis. Methodology: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample sent for India ink examination for Cryptococcuscollected from 116 patients suspected of cryptococcal meningitis over 1 year were included in the study. These samples were subjected to Gram stain, fungal culture, antigen detection by LFA and PCR. Results: Of the 116 CSF samples tested, 20 (17.2%) samples were positive by LFA, among which 5 (4.31%) samples were also positive in India ink preparation, Gram__ampersandsignrsquo;s staining, fungal culture and PCR. Conclusion: Antigen detection for Cryptococci must be prioritized over microscopy and culture for the diagnosis. Identification of Cryptococci by antigen detection and molecular methods are very much useful in the laboratory diagnosis of Cryptococcal infection.