The oxidation of serine catalysed by cerium(IV) has been studied in sulphuric acid medium at 318 K. The reaction follows rst order kinetics with respect to [Mn(II)] while negative effect was observed for the variation of [H+] on the rate of reaction. The reaction exhibits rst to zero order kinetics with respect to serine at its lower to higher concentrations. Under the experimental condition, the kinetically active species of cerium(IV) has been found to be Ce(SO4)2. Activation parameters has been calculated. The mechanism has been proposed from the results of kinetic studies, reaction stoichiometry and product analysis.