Abstract Introduction: The onset time of neuromuscular blockade can be influenced by factors such as hypnotics which interfere with muscle blood flow and muscle relaxation induced by nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers. Aim: This study was designed to test whether etomidate, with its favourable haemodynamic characteristics, is associated with a shorter onset time of neuromuscular block or propofol with its action on the neuromuscular junction is associated with faster onset of neuromuscular block. Settings and Design: A prospective randomised comparative study. Methods and Material: 60 patients scheduled for elective surgery were randomly allocated into 2 groups to receive 0.4mg/kg of etomidate or 2mg/kg of propofol, vecuronium 0.1 mg/ kg was administered and ulnar nerve was stimulated supramaximally and train of four responses was recorded with kinemyography. Time to 100% neuromuscular block, NIBP and HR were measured. Results: The onset time was faster in etomidate group compared to propofol but it was not statistically significant. There was a negative correlation between onset time and the maximum percent change in mean arterial pressure. Conclusions: Propofol and etomidate had a similar behaviour regarding time for vecuroniuminduced neuromuscular block. The onset time of the vecuronium induced neuromuscular block depends not only on the circulatory factors but also on the noncirculatory factors too.