Mean performance and genetic variability parameters were estimated in 33 local types of brinjal to identify suitable parents for hybridization. The study revealed that highly significant differences were observed for most of the traits. Mean performance showed that EP 27 (1.93 kg) registered highest fruit yield per plant followed by EP 3 (1.83 kg). High estimates of genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were observed for number of primary branches per plant, internodal length, average fruit weight, number of fruits per plant and fruit yield per plant indicating that selection can be predicted to improve the brinjal genotypes for these characters. The high estimates of heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean estimated for the number of primary branches per plant, internodal length, fruit length, average fruit weight, ascorbic acid content, number of fruits per plant and fruit yield per plant indicated that selection will be effective for improvement of these characters. © Indian Society of Plant Breeders.