Background and Objectives: Endotracheal intubation is the most important and crucial step during the administration of general anaesthesia. It is more so in paediatric patients with associated deformities like cleft lip, palate and alveolus. Propofol, with its profound depressant effect on the airway reflexes, has a quick and smoother induction. Similarly, of all the inhalational agents, sevoflurane has a relatively pleasant smell and low airway irritability, with more cardiostable properties. Hence, we have compared both in evaluating the intubating conditions without muscle relaxants. Material and Methods: In this prospective randomized study, 80 ASA PS I and II patients who were aged one to ten years, who were scheduled for cleft lip, cleft palate and cleft alveolus surgeries were included. All the children were premedicated with midazolam 0.5 mg/kg and atropine 20μg/kg orally, 45 minutes before the surgery, followed by 2μg/kg of fentanyl and they were allocated randomly to receive either 3 mg /kg of propofol + lignocaine 0.2mg/kg (group A) or 8% sevoflurane with face mask after priming the circuit with 8% sevoflurane (group B). Tracheal intubation was attempted in all the patients at 150 seconds. The intubating conditions were assessed by using Steyn's modification of the Helbo - Hansen intubating conditions score. Statistical analysis was performed by using the Student's unpaired t-test and the Chi-square test. Results: The intubating conditions were better in group B than in group A. The group B patients (87.5%) significantly had more clinically acceptable intubating conditions than in group A (52.5%), (p= 0.0015). Conclusion: The intubating conditions with the use of inhalational 8% sevoflurane in 50% nitrous oxide with oxygen is superior to intravenous propofol 3mg/kg for tracheal intubation without muscle relaxants in children who undergo cleft surgery. © 2013 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.