Abstract: In order to evaluate the drought tolerance efficiency, 18 ISH clones with three standards (Co 0238, CoJ 88, and Co 98014) evaluated under drought stress during formative phase . The significant reductions in various parameters like tiller population at 120 days after planting (DAP) experienced a 37% reduction, while tillers at 150 DAP and 180 DAP reduced by 10% and 12%, respectively. We observed leaf rolling as a response to drought, with eleven clones exhibiting high intensity, six clones showing partial rolling, and four clones displaying no rolling. Four test entries (ISH-534, ISH-823, ISH-513, and ISH-536) performed better than Co 98014 in terms of leaf area reduction. The number of tillers at 150 DAP and 180 DAP, in both normal and drought conditions, were recorded as 1.07 and 0.96 lakhs/ha, and 1.10 and 0.94 lakhs/ha, respectively. At 150 DAP, nine clones outperformed the best standard, Co 98014 (0.68 lakhs/ha), while at 180 DAP, eight test clones (ISH-567, ISH-833, ISH-524, ISH-584, ISH-594, ISH-536, ISH-590, and ISH-502) were superior to the best standard, Co 0238 (0.78 lakhs/ha), in terms of tiller numbers. Eleven entries displayed the least reduction in NMC, surpassing the best standard. CoJ 88 was the best performing standard for sucrose (18.43%), while entries such as ISH-524, ISH-513, ISH-536, ISH-519, and ISH-512 also demonstrated favorable performance. The mean reduction in cane yield under drought stress, at 300 days after planting, was 32.28%. Co 98014 exhibited the least reduction in cane yield under drought stress (21%), and test entries ISH-548 (3.5%) and ISH-823 (12%) showed relatively less yield reduction under drought conditions. The mean fiber percentage under normal and drought conditions was recorded as 14.69% and 15.45%, respectively. Overall, this study provide the insight to drought-tolerant ISH clones in breeding programs, offering the potential to enhance climate resilience in sugarcane production and contribute to the sustainable agricultural development of drought-prone regions.