Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between reducing agents and enzymes involved in the removal of free radicals (FR) and/or reactive oxygen species (ROS). Objective of the study was to compare oxidative stress between newborns delivered by normal vaginal delivery and elective caesarean section by estimation of cord blood ischemia modified albumin (IMA) and to compare antioxidant status between them by measuring activity of super oxide dismutase and tocopherol in their cord blood. Cord blood was collected from 50 newborns delivered by uncomplicated normal vaginal delivery and 50 newborns delivered by elective caesarean section. Mean serum ischemia modified albumin level in cord blood of newborns born by normal vaginal delivery (35.34+-3.4U/ml, mean+-2SD) was higher than serum IMA values in cord blood of newborns born by caesarean section(24.89+-2.86U/ml, mean+-2SD)( by albumin cobalt binding assay method). Mean serum tocopherol in cord blood of newborns born by normal vaginal delivery was found to be lower (1.99+-0.62mg/lit, mean+-2SD), than that of cord blood of newborns born by caesarean section (4.21+-1.04mg/lit, mean+-2SD) in this study( by Baker and Frank method). Mean cord blood plasma super oxide dismutase values were found to be lower in cord blood of normal delivery born babies (3.54+-0.60U/ml, mean+-1SD), than that of caesarean section born babies (5.82+-0.45U/ml, mean+-1SD) (by Kakkar__ampersandsignrsquo;s method). So, there is increased antioxidant status in cord blood of caesarean section born babies and increased oxidative stress (which is indicated by raised ischemia modified albumin) in cord blood of normal delivery born newborns. Antioxidant supplementation to mothers and newborns may be considered.