UV-radiation-induced graft-copolymerization of cotton cellulose was carried out with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) using eerie ammonium nitrate (CAN) as a photoinitiator as well as a chemical initiator. With increase in the graft add-on, breaking load and moisture regain of cotton decreased, so also its thermal stability. The fiber surface changes due to grafting were ascertained by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.