Aim: Clinical evaluation of preoperative skin preparation with aqueous povidoneiodinealone and in combination with alcoholic chlorhexidine in patients undergoing electivesurgery Material and methods: This observational study was carried out in the Department ofGeneralSurgeryRamaMedicalcollegeandhospitalHapur.120Patientsofallagegroupsund ergoing elective surgery in the Department of General Surgery with a clean woundwere included in this study. 120 patients divided into 2 equals groups. For Group1antisepticregimenusedisthreecoatsofaqueouspovidone-iodineIP5%w/v.ForGroup-2 antiseptic regimen used is a single coat of agent containing chlorhexidinegluconate2.5% v/v in 70% propanol followed by two coats of aqueous povidone-iodine IP 5% w/v.The pre- operative antibiotic used is Cefotaxime 1 gram I.V given following a test dose;onehourpriorto incision