Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common malignancies of oral cavity. Metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a complex process involving detachment of cells from the tumor tissue, regulation of cell motility and invasion, proliferation and evasion through the lymphatic system or blood vessels. The metastasis may affect the prognosis. 1Since not only the suppression of primary lesion but also the presence or absence of metastasis in the cervical lymph nodes may greatly influence the outcome of oral cancer. 2, 3The submental lymph nodes are categories as Level Ia lymph nodes. 4 Aim of present study was to evaluate Level Ia lymph node metastasis in patients having oral squamous cell carcinoma.Materials and methods: The research was undertaken following approval from the institutional ethics committee and spanned a duration of two years, during which a comprehensive evaluation was performed on 67 participants.Results: Level Ia lymph node metastasis was 22.4% (15 patients). Among 22.4% patients with level Ia lymph node metastasis, most common site of primary tumor was lip (50%). T4b lesions showed highest prevalence in patients with level Ia lymph node metastasis. Out of total 22.4% of level Ia lymph node metastasis, 13.04% (3 patients) patients had clinically N0 neck. On comparison of final histopathological diagnosis with level Ia lymph node metastasis, 50% cases diagnosed with poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Metastasis at level Ia was associated along with level Ib lymph node metastasis (46.6%) followed by level IIa lymph node metastasis (33.3%).Conclusion: In conclusion, the present study depicted that level Ia lymph node metastasis was significant. Hence, level Ia lymph node dissection should be taken into the consideration in patients with OSCC.