Abstract: Growth regulators, picloram, 2,4,5-T, 2,4-D and dicamba, were incorporated at concentrations ranging from 0.40-60 μM in a modified MS medium to study their influence on induction of somatic embryogenesis in two Indian papaya cultivars viz. Honey Dew and Washington. Somatic embryos were induced from the meristematic region of the intact immature zygotic embryos in the presence of all the growth regulators tested. The response, however, varied with the concentration of the growth regulator used and the incubation conditions. The somatic embryogenesis response was in the order: picloram (4.0 μM) > dicamba (20.00 μM) > 2,4-D (10.00 μM) > 2,4,5-T (4.00 μM). The incubation of the cultured explants in dark or in light also played a significant role on induction of somatic embryogenesis induction. Somatic embryo maturation was achieved upon transfer of the cotyledonary stage somatic embryos to the hormone free modified MS basal medium supplemented with ethylene antagonists Spermidine, ABA and AgNO3. A maximum of 96.67% embryos matured in presence of 1 μM Spermidine, 90.0% matured in presence of 0.1 μM ABA and 86.67% in presence of 0.5 μM AgNO3. The matured somatic embryos germinated upon transfer to a modified basal medium containing MS basal salts and B5 vitamins. The regenerated plantlets were transferred to soil and hardened under green house conditions and later transferred to the field.