BACKGRORUND: This study aimed to examine the comparative effect of yoga and gym exercise on perceived stress with special reference to timing. It helps to find out which physical activity either yoga or gym exercise had better result and outcome on the stress level of an individual while done specifically in the morning and in the evening. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the effect of (a) morning time 06 – 09 A.M. yoga and gym exercise and (b) evening 6 to 10 P.M. yoga and gym exercise on perceived stress in healthy adult of age group 30 to 45years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 200 subjects were included in the study. Out of which, 50 were doing yoga in the morning and 50 in the evening. 50 doing gym exercise in the morning and 50 in the evening. Perceived stress was assessed by Cohen’s PSS 14 Questionnaires. RESULT: The result of present study revealed that the ‘p’ value for the perceived stress of morning yoga and gym exercise was found to be 0.000. (p=.000<.050), which is statistically significant, null hypothesis was rejected. Mean of perceived stress of morning yoga performers is 13.16 whereas for gym exercisers it is 21.32, which is higher than yoga exercisers. Similarly, the ‘p’ value for the perceived stress of evening yoga and gym exercise was found to be 0.088. (p=.088>.050) which is statistically not significant, null hypothesis was accepted. B. Mean of perceived stress of morning yoga performers is 19.36 whereas for gym exercisers, it is 23.48. CONCLUSION: While comparing the morning and evening time of physical activities, it was concluded that the stress level of morning yoga practitioners are less than the morning gym exercisers, whereas the stress level of evening yoga practitioners are more or less same as compared to evening gym exercisers. Key words:Stress, Perceived Stress, Yoga, Gym Exercise, Perceived Stress Scale