BACKGROUND : C.albicans is an opportunistic pathogen and its presence has been demonstrated in periodontal pockets. Periodontitis is an infectious disease that could increase the risk for colonization by Candida. Candidal infection could in turn lead to progression of periodontal disease. Hence, it is important to understand the relation between C.albicans and periodontitis. AIM : To study the prevalence of C.albicans in subgingival plaque samples of patients with chronic periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS : This study included 108 chronic periodontitis subjects of age ranging from 30 to 55 years. Clinical parameters like plaque index (PlI), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were measured and smoking status of the individuals assessed. Sabouraud’s dextrose agar and the CHROMagar media were used to culture C.albicans from clinical plaque samples. RESULTS : In this study, clinical parameters (PlI, PD, and CAL), disease severity and sex showed no significant relation with the presence of C.albicans. On the other hand smoking habits was significantly correlated with the presence of the pathogen. CONCLUSION : The results of the present study showed that, C.albicans was present in higher amounts in the periodontal pockets of patients with severe chronic periodontitis. Smokers had greater chances of being of C.albicans positive than non smokers. The prevalence of C.albicans did not have a predilection for particular sexes.