Seven lines (four cytoplasmic male sterile and three self-incompatible) of cabbage were crossed with four cabbage testers as per line × tester mating design during 2012-13 to produce 28 F1 hybrids. These hybrids along with lines and testers were evaluated in randomized block design during 2013-14 to carry out combining ability and gene action studies. The line × tester analysis revealed significant differences due to lines and testers for most of the traits studied. The general combining ability (GCA) effects indicated that the line CMS GAP followed by II-12-4-10 and the tester SC 2008-09 were the best general combiners for net head weight and most of the component traits. On the basis of specific combining ability (SCA) effects, the hybrids CMS GAP × E-1-3, CMS II × E-1-10 and SI 2008-09-03-01× Glory-1 were the most potential specific combiners. The magnitude of dominance variance was higher than additive variance for most of the traits indicating the preponderance of non-additive gene action vis-à-vis exploitation of hybrid vigour in cabbage. The CMS based hybrids have excelled in their heterotic performance for most of the traits whereas for the traits viz., gross and net head weight, equatorial diameter and marketable head yield per plot the SI system based hybrids excelled in their performance. Therefore, both the systems were found equally effective for the development of F1 hybrids in cabbage from the genetic material used in this study.