Study of combining ability variance for 32 F1's which were developed through Line x Tester (4 x 8) crossing techniques in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) along with parents revealed additive and non-additive genic variances in the inheritance of all the characters studied. Non-additive genetic variance was predominant for all most all the characters except plant height and grain yield per plant. Based on gca performance in general, among female Pusa Phalguni was found to be good general combiner followed by GC-4, whereas among males, CPD-19 was found superior combiner. In study of sca effects has shown that crosses with one good and one poor, average or good general combiners and even poor and poor general combining parents would produce hybrids with good specific combinations. Population improvement approaches followed by recurrent selection in segregating generations would be advocated for improvement.