Introduction: An emergency laparotomy is a life saving procedure undertaken mostly in acute cases without much preparation of the patient. Despite being one of the most common urgent surgical procedures, it still proves to be a challenge for the surgeons of the world. Methods: This prospective study was carried out in 100 patients in Pt. B.D. Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak who underwent emergency laparotomy to evaluate different causes of laparotomy and the morbidity & mortality associated with it. Results: Emergency laparotomy was performed for a variety of conditions; majority were being of perforation peritonitis. Intestinal obstruction (25%), abdominal trauma (19%), burst appendix (5%) etc were others to follow. Post-operative fever (68%) was the most common complication followed by nausea& vomiting(56%),chest infection(38%), wound complications (33%) and paralytic ileus (26%)to name a few. Mortality in this study was 4%. Conclusions: Post-operative complications are more common after emergency laparotomies compared to elective laparotomies. Maximum complications were found in patients of delayed presentation or in patients having any associated co morbidities. Therefore early detection, immediate intervention with better postoperative care can minimise the postoperative complications .The present study suggests that proper awareness among rural populations, adequate health education to seek prompt medical aid, a good referral and effi cient transportation can reduce the delayed presentation which in turn will prevent postoperative complications following emergency laparotomy.