With tuberculosis being rampant in India, the need to diagnose and manage these patients in a cost effective, timely and efficient way is large. Lymphadenitis being a common presentation of tuberculosis, requires proper evaluation.  Tuberculosis remains a common health problem in developing countries like India. With roots in poverty, malnutrition and overcrowding, multi drug resistance and HIV infection has added to the problem. Lymphadenitis which is a common presentation of tuberculosis is easily assessable for evaluation by fine needle aspiration. Utility of recognition of various cytomorphological features of tuberculous lymphadenitis is well established. Correlating it with AFB positivity could be of use in managing these patients. A prospective study was carried out, wherein all suspected patients of tuberculosis presenting with superficial lymphadenitis were subjected to fine needle aspiration. Material obtained was submitted for cytomorphological examination and AFB staining by Ziehl Neelsen method. Good correlation was obtained in cases of tuberculous lymphadenitis with AFB staining. Cytopathological examination is useful in diagnosing cases of tuberculosis. AFB staining on aspirates, adds to the diagnosis.