Maize (Zea mays L.) is a staple cereal crop with global significance due to its high yield potential and adaptability. Hybrid breeding remains a key strategy for enhancing productivity, which relies on identifying parental lines with superior combining ability. In this study, 15 maize inbred lines were crossed with three testers in a line × tester design during kharif, 2021 and the resulting 45 crosses were evaluated along with parents during rabi, 2021–22, to determine general combining ability