In the present investigation, 77 genotypes (54 F1s, 18 lines, 3 testers and 2 check) were evaluated in relation to assessment of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for yield and contributing traits in maize (Zea mays L.) under high plant density. The analysis of variance indicated that the mean sum of square due to treatments, parents, crosses, and parents vs crosses were significant for majority of the characters except plant height for treatments, parents and crosses whereas plant height, number of leaves / plant at flowering stage and number of cob/ plant for parents vs crosses, these result indicating the presence of variability in the material under study. The moderate GCV% & PCV % were reported for characters cob length, cob weight and grain yield / plant. Estimates of high heritability along with higher genetic advance as % over mean for characters, were cob length, cob weight, 100 kernel weight and grain yield/plant. Whereas estimates of high heritability along with moderate genetic advance as % over mean for characters were cob diameter and number of barren plant %. It indicated that the heritability is governed through the additive effect of genes and improvement in these characters may be achieved through phenotypic (direct selection) selections.