The meristem tip culture in combination with antiviral chemotherapy was found significant to enhance the sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) elimination from the infected sugarcane meristem. Two antiviral chemotherapeutants, viz. ribavirin and 8-azaguanine were applied with MS medium in different concentrations (5, 10, 25 and 50 ppm) and meristem culture was done. The SCMV elimination was assessed in direct antigen coating (DAC)-ELISA with polyclonal antiserum raised against SCMV. Amending the antiviral chemotherapeutant, ribavirin at 50 ppm with MS medium was found promising in SCMV elimination up to 95 per cent when compared to 62 per cent in meristem culture alone and ribavirin did not exhibit any phytotoxicity on sugarcane. However, the other chemotherapeutant, 8-azaguanine exhibited phytotoxicity and reduced regeneration of plantlets. The results indicated that the combined method of antiviral chemotherapy with ribavirin (50 ppm) and meristem culture was effective in SCMV elimination when compared to meristem culture alone.