The structural and magnetic properties of the intermetallic compounds NdMn 2−x Ti x Si 2 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) have been studied by x-ray and high resolution neutron powder diffraction, specific heat, dc magnetization, and differential scanning calorimetry measurements over the temperature range 3-450 K. The Curie temperature and Néel temperature of NdMn 2 Si 2 decrease from T C = 36 K and T N = 380 K to T C = 14 K and T N = 360 K, respectively, on substitution of Ti (x = 0.3) for Mn. The magnetocaloric effect at the first order ferromagnetic phase transition at T C , has been investigated in detail. Under a change of magnetic field of 0-5 T, the maximum value of the magnetic entropy change is 27 J kg −1 K −1 at x = 0, reducing to 15.3 J kg −1 K −1 at x = 0.1 and 10 J kg −1 K −1 at x = 0.3; importantly, no thermal or field hysteresis losses occur (eliminated from 0.3 K and 28.5 J kg −1 at x = 0 around T C) with increase in Ti concentration. Combined with the lack of any hysteresis effects, these findings indicate that NdMn 1.9 Ti 0.1 Si 2 compound offers potential as a candidate for magnetic refrigerator applications in the temperature region below 35 K.