A field experiment was conducted during July – October of 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 to study the effect of balanced inorganic fertilizers on yield and nutrient uptake of maize (COHM 5) in Palaviduthi soil series of Tamil Nadu. The nutrient sorption study was conducted to evaluate optimum nutrient treatment (ONT). The optimum nutrient requirements were fixed as 200-76-88-7.4 kg N-P-K-Zn / ha for this soil series belongs to the order of Alfisol. The experiment was laid out in RBD replicated thrice with 13 treatments of different levels of inorganic fertilizers. The grain and stover yield of maize influenced by various levels of fertilizers in this soil series was found to be significant and the highest grain and stover yield (7.71 and 14.05 t / ha) was recorded in treatment that received 250-76-88-7.4 kg N-P-K-Zn / ha, respectively. The highest total N and Zn uptake (243.44 and 1.41 kg / ha) was noted from the application of 250-76-88-7.4 kg N-P-K-Zn / ha). Similarly, the maximum total P and K uptake (73.82 and 206.50 kg / ha, respectively) was observed from the nhanced levels of P and K application (200-95-88-7.4 and 200-76-110-7.4 kg N-P-K-Zn / ha. The trend of available N, P, K and Zn were also same as to that of uptake pattern due to the enhanced levels of nutrients at post harvest soil. The highest net returns (Rs 35,137 / ha) and net B:C (1.52) were obtained in treatment applied with 250-76-88-7.4 kg N-P-K-Zn / ha.