ZSM-5 type of zeolite was synthesized using two different techniques, first by conventional hydrothermal (C-H) method and another by exposing the hydrogel to microwave radiation followed by C-H method. In the case of microwave treated gel the crystallization period is reduced substantially (nearly half) to that of crystallization period by C-H method. ZSM-5 zeolites synthesized by these two methods have been characterized by different characterization techniques like X-ray diffraction, IR, TG/DTA, sorption and MASNMR. By both the techniques the ZSM-5 synthesized was similar in all the respects however; the M-T synthesis technique is time saving. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.