BACKGROUND Spinal Anaesthesia is the most commonly used form of anaesthesia for surgeries below the level of umbilicus. Bupivacaine is the drug of choice for subarachnoid block. Spinal anaesthesia with bupivacaine is associated with many side effects and complications especially in patients with multiple co-morbid conditions. In our study we compared the anaesthetic effectiveness of 3.5 ml hyperbaric bupivacaine with a mixture of 100 mg ketamine and 0.1 mg adrenaline, the solution is made hyperbaric by adding 1.4 ml of 5 % dextrose given intrathecally. The objective of our study was to compare the anaesthetic properties and clinical effectiveness of intrathecally administered ketamine with bupivacaine for inguinal hernia repair. METHODS This randomised control study was conducted on fifty American society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) 1 and 2 patients in the age group of 25 – 60 years posted for elective inguinal hernia repair from December 2004 to December 2005. They were randomized in to two groups. Group 1 (Bupivacine group) and Group 2 (Ketamine group). Bupivacaine group (group 1) received 3.5 ml of bupivacaine heavy and ketamine group (group 2) received preservative free ketamine 100 mg with 0.1 mg adrenalin 1/1000 solution in 1.4 ml of 5 % dextrose to make it heavy. Anaesthetic properties, side effects and complications of both groups were compared intraoperatively. RESULTS The onset of action of ketamine (1.58 minutes) was faster than bupivacaine (3.31 minutes) which is statistically significant. Duration of blockade was longer in bupivacaine group (sensory 227.92 and motor 203.08) compared to ketamine group (sensory 143.40 and motor 109.46). Ketamine group showed a greater level of haemodynamic stability than bupivacaine group. CONCLUSIONS Intrathecal ketamine produces optimal anaesthetic conditions for surgeries like inguinal hernia repair. Haemodynamic stability provided by intrathecal ketamine is beneficial in patients with multiple comorbidities. KEYWORDS Hyperbaric Bupivacaine, Ketamine in Hyperbaric Solution, Intrathecal Block, Inguinal Hernia Repair