Hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 is explored as the adsorbent for the removal of heavy metal ions such as cadmium, lead, nickel and zinc. Very few reports are there for the substituted hydroxyapatite as the adsorbent. Copper substituted hydroxyapatite of formula Ca9.75Cu0.25(PO4)6(OH)2 was synthesized by precipitation method and characterized by powder XRD, FT-IR, TGA and surface area. The above mentioned compound is reported as the adsorbent for the removal of nickel and cadmium ions. Optimization with respect to the contact time, concentration of the metal ions, pH was carried out. Adsorption capacity (qe) of 71.24 mg/g is noticed with respect to the cadmium ion removal for the time period of 120 min. © Research India Publications.