Background: Psoriasis is chronic inflammatory dermatosis with genetic background. Topical therapy alone is effective in localized psoriasis Objective: Study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of topical calcipotriol and dithranol in mild chronic plaque psoriasis with less than 10% BSA involvement Methods: Study duration was 6 weeks. Thirty patients each were included in two groups. In calcipotriol group, patients applied calcipotriol ointment (0.005%) twice daily. In dithranol group patients applied 1% ointment in 1st week, 2% ointment during 2nd week, 3% ointment from 3rd weeks onwards. Duration of application was 60 minutes, once daily. Results: Patients responded to both the treatments satisfactorily. However, calcipotriol was superior in efficacy. Patients in both the groups tolerated the treatment. Conclusion: Both calcipotriol and dithranol (short contact therapy) were effective in the treatment of mild chronic plaque psoriasis. Even though, dithranol is less potent, it is cost effective