A field experiment was carried out during rabi, 2007-08 to study the effect of planting methods and nutrient levels on productivity and nutrient uptake of chilli (cv. Byadagi kaddi). The results revealed that dry fruit yield (16.18 q/ha), dry fruit weight per plant (85.96 g), 100 dry fruit weight (70.45 g), fruit length (10.35 cm), fruit girth (0.80 cm) of chilli was significantly higher and maximum days for flower initiation (44.24) and 50 per cent flowering (51.83) with the application of 300:150:150 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1 over other nutrient levels. Transplanting two seedlings per hill recorded significantly higher dry fruit yield (17.96 q/ha) over other planting methods. Application of  300:150:150 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1 recorded significantly higher uptake of  N:P:K (108.18: 21.87: 114:07 kg ha-1) by chilli over other nutrient levels. Drill sowing @ 7.5 kg seed rate per hectare recorded significantly higher uptake of N:P:K (170.62: 36.71: 184.49 kg ha-1) among different planting methods.