Introduction: Oral cancers refer to malignant growth affecting the tissues within the mouth. Despite its significant impact as the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, awareness about oral cancer remains insufficient. Over 90% of oral cancers are oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) arising in oral mucosa and oropharynx. Recent findings have suggested a potential link between an elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and aggressive biological behaviour observed in various cancers, including those affecting the head and neck regions. Consequently, a study was conducted to evaluate NLR levels in the peripheral blood of individuals diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) of different grades. This investigation aimed to assess the potential role of NLR as a biomarker in OSCC patients. Aims & Objectives: To evaluate neutrophil: lymphocyte ratio in the different grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Materials and methods: Retrospective institutional study was conducted comprising of 100 cases of 50 histopathologically confirmed cases of OSCC of varying grades and 50 controls. Comparison of NLR was done between the two groups and within the different grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma with that of controls. Results: One way ANOVA test was performed and it was seen that NLR increased with the increasing grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusion: NLR can prove as an important prognostic biomarker before surgical procedures.