BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to evaluate the various clinical parameters of airway assessment and their ability to predict difficult laryngoscopy and intubation in diabetic patients as compared to nondiabetic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Out of 120 patients, 60 diabetics (group-D) and 60 nondiabetics (group-N) were studied preoperatively for various airway indices such as the modified Mallampati Test (MPC), Thyromental Distance (TMD), Degree of Head Extension (HE), the Palm Print Index (PP) and the Prayer Sign (PS) and their corresponding Cormack-Lehane scores (CL) were noted. The two groups were studied using chi-square tests. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS The incidence of difficult laryngoscopy as indicated by CL grade III and IV in diabetic patients was 43.33%, while that in the nondiabetic group was 20%. In diabetics group, MPC as a predictor was more sensitive (80.77%) while PP index was more specific (97.06%). PP index also had maximum positive predictive value and odds ratio. In nondiabetic group, MPC had maximum sensitivity (75.00%) while PP index, PS and TMD were showed equal specificity (95.83%). CONCLUSION MPC as a predictor was more sensitive in both groups while PP index was more specific in group D.