Combining ability was studied for grain yield and its component using the F1, F and F, of a 6 x 6 diallel set in barley. Both GCA and SCA variances were significant for all the traits in each generation. The GCA effects were associated with per se performance of parents for almost all the traits, ayoti, DL 70 and PL 102 were found to be good general combiners for most of the characters and thus, could be used effectively in a barley breeding programine. Significant and desirable SCA effects for grain yield revealed that seven, six and five crosses in F, F, and F, respectively. involved high x high and high low general combiness Jyoti x DL 70, PL 102 x DL 70 and Jyoti x PL 102 in each gene- ration involved parents of high x high general combiners. These hybrids showed high mean coupled with significant SCA effects in F, and F, which reflected the presence of additive X additive interaction effects. Therefore, it is expected that better strains may be obtained in advanced generations through standard selection procedures. Some of the crosses invol ved high x low general combiners Such crosses may throw out desirable transgressive segregates.