Background: To make blood collection, processing and transfusion safe for the patients as well as the donors and blood bank staff, many safety measures are undertaken, and the most important of which is the selection of suitable blood donors. Moreover, the knowledge of rate and causes of donor deferral can guide the recruitment strategy for whole blood donation. Objectives: To analyse the incidence and reasons for deferrals and to apply relevant findings to modify recruitment strategy for blood donors. Materials and Methods: Data for whole blood donorspresenting for donation in our blood centre and outdoor blood donation camps over three years were analyzed retrospectively. National guidelines were used for selection and deferral of whole blood donors. Results: 895 (5.61%) donors were deferred. Among them 790 (4.95%) were voluntary donors and 105 (0.65%) were replacement donors. Majority 534 (59.7%) of the donors deferred were between 18 __ampersandsignndash; 30 years. Temporary deferrals were 791(88.37%) and permanent deferrals were 104 (11.6%). Among temporary deferrals, themost common causes were medical (400 i.e 44.7%) causes followed by anemia (163 i.e. 18.2%). Among permanentdeferrals, the most common cause was Jaundice (34 i.e. 3.8%). Conclusion: Donor counselling to improve the return rate of temporary deferrals and strict donor selection criteria should be implemented with more proactive measures to make blood donation a safe and pleasurable experience.