In this paper, a simple and robust speed and stator resistance estimator is proposed for sensorless permanent magnet synchronous motor drive to improve its performance at standstill and low speed regions. The speed and stator resistance estimator is formed using stator flux based model reference adaptive system, which yields fast transient response, reduces steady state error for low rotor speed variation and load disturbances. The proposed method improves the performance of the drive at low speed regions. The simulations are carried out through MATLAB/Simulink environment and results show the effectiveness of the sensorless PMSM drive. The maximum estimated rotor speed and position error are found to be are ±3 rad/s, ±1 °respectively, during low speed operation at transient and steady state conditions. © 2017 IEEE.