The present study is an attempt to develop and evaluate the sustained release tablet formulations (oral) of ciproflocacin hydrochloride utilizing chitosan based in situ forming polyelecrolyte complex as retardant polymer. The traditional method of wet granulation was used to prepare various formulations. A 1% w/w solution of chitosan in 1% acetic acid (cooled to about 4 oC and neutralized) was used as binder to granulate the drug mixed with anionic polymers like xanthan gum and sodium starch glycolate and other excipients. A number of characteristics were assessed for the tablets, including thickness, hardness, friability, drug content, and uniformity of weight. The in vitro drug release studies were conducted for 12 hrs, in 500 ml of HCl + KCl buffer [(pH 1.5) for 2 hr], for 8 hrs in mixed phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) and again for 2 hr at pH 7.5 utilizing mixed phosphate buffer, using USP type II apparatus running at 50 rpm. The pharmacokinetic parameters were examined by using various mathematical models (zero order, Higuchi, first order, Korsmeyer – Pepps equations and Hixson – crowell) to investigate and elucidate the mechanism of drug from various formulations/ tablets. The drug release studies confirmed the sustained release of drug for 12 hrs. From the dissolution profile comparison of two formulations, it was also confirmed that the change in anionic polymer from one to two had no effect on the dissolution profiles of the formulations. The polyelectrolyte complex formation (in situ) between chitosan and anionic polymers had been revealed by XRD studies of polyelectrolyte complex gels.