Formate and acetate concentrations were estimated using ion chromatography in 19 samples precipitation collected on an eventwise basis during the monsoon season (July through September), 1991, at Dayalbagh, Agra. Volume-weighted average (VWA) concentrations for formate and acetate were 5.8 and 6.55 μ mol L-1, respectively. The VWA hydrogen ion concentration was 0.084 μeq L-1 (&rgr;H 7.07) and the correlation coefficient between the two ions was 0.85. The average formate to acetate ratio was low (0.88), possibly due to an increase in acetate contribution from direct missions associated with heavy vehicular traffic load and/or indirect acetate formation by alkaline hydrolysis of PAN. Widespread local use of biomass as a domestic fuel may also contribute acetate. In 4 of the 19 precipitation events studied, higher values of both species were recorded. Contributions from soil in addition to vegetation, were suspected in these samples. Inputs from soil and combustion activities were supported by correlations among formate, acetate and Ca2+ (terrigenous species), K+, SO2-4 and NO1-3. ¿American Geophysical Union 1993