Two hundred and sixty rice accessions were screened for their reaction to deadheart damage by yellow stem borer Scirpophaga incertulas at 55 DAT under field condition. Among the 260 accessions screened, 22 accessions recorded as highly resistant (Grade 0) with nil incidence of stem borer and 19 accessions were recorded as susceptible (Grade 7) with 31-60 per cent deadheart damage at vegetative phase. Two traditional rice accessions like Norungan and Kattanur were rated as highly resistant. Accessions which are rated as resistant (or) highly resistant have to be screened in artificial conditions with high insect pressure and may be used as resistant donors in breeding programs against yellow stem borer.