The expansion of current machinery requires metallic materials with better surface properties. In the present investigation, CeO2 reinforced nickel nanocomposite coatings were deposited on mild steel substrate by direct current electrodeposition process employing nickel acetate bath. The effect of incorporation of CeO2 particles in the Ni nanocomposite coatings on the micro hardness and corrosion behaviour has been evaluated. Smooth and compact nanocomposite deposits containing well-distributed cerium oxide particles were obtained. The crystallite structure was fcc for electrodeposited nickel and Ni-CeO2 nanocomposite coatings. It has been observed that, the presence of CeO2 nanoparticles favours the [111] and [200] texture of nickel matrix. The co-deposition of CeO2 nanoparticles with nickel was found to be favoured at applied current density of 8 A dm(-2). The micro hardness values of the nickel nanocomposite coatings (725 HV) was higher than that of pure nickel (265 HV).The decrease in I-corr values and increase in Constant Phase Element values were investigated in 3.5% NaCl solution which showed the higher corrosion resistant nature of Ni-CeO2 coatings. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.