Background: Oral cancer is most common cancer amongst men in India, and continues to be a global threat. The lack of awareness, knowledge and screening practices amongst medical /dental doctorswas much studied, but studies as such on nursing students are fewer in India. Aim: To evaluate the knowledge of oral cancer and screening practice of undergraduate nursing students in Karaikal district, Puducherry. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was carried out on sample of 123 participants perusing undergraduate nursing. A pre-validated and pre-tested structured questionnaire consisting of 12 open ended questions was circulated via Google feedback forms. The descriptive data was represented as frequency and percentages. Results: Around 41% (n=50) were from 3rd academic year of nursing, with a male to female ration of 1:9. The examination of oral cavity was done by80% (n=98) of the participants. The majority (77.2%) identified tobacco as risk factor and around 84.3% (n=103) participants responded that non-healing ulcer after biting to be sign of cancer. However, the correct responses for the common sites for oral cancer occurrence in oral cavity, surfaces of tongue and lymph node examination in metastatic oral cancer were low. The need for more education for nursing students and willingness to participate in oral cancer programs was marked by 100% and 91% of students respectively. Conclusion: The majority of the nursing students had identified tobacco to be factor associated with oral cancer. There was difficulty in most of participants in identification of common sites for oral cancer, examination tongue and cervical lymph nodes. Provision of further education and certified courses for undergraduate nursing students may contribute in reduction of raising numbers of oral cancer in India. © 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.