Background:The menace of tuberculosis can be curtailed by halting the chain of onward transmission by early detection of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (M. TB). Broncho alveolar lavage sampling (BAL) in sputum scarce or smear negative Pulmonary TB (PTB), can help achieve early diagnosis. Methods: In this retrospective study, BALsamples of sputum smear negative or sputum scarce suspected PTB were analysed to assess its role in early diagnosis of PTB. Results: BAL Gene Xpert detected M. TB in 47.06% sputum smear and GeneXpert negative / sputum scarce patients, with one third of these having Rifampicin resistance. Growth of M. TB by liquid culture (MGIT) of BALwas seen in 31.37%. GeneXpert had a sensitivity and speci?city of 75%, and 65.7% respectively. Conclusion: BAL analysis by GeneXpert and MGIT Culture is an important diagnostic tool and should be mandatory in suspected smear negative / sputum scarce PTB patients.