BACKGROUND Family burden of caregiver of patients with mental illness accounts for nearly half of the global burden of diseases. Considering the importance of the issue, the present study therefore has been undertaken, to better understand the experiences of family caregiver for patients with schizophrenia in comparison with bipolar disorders (BPAD). METHODS A hospital based, cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in Masina Hospital Dept. of Psychiatry. A total of 200 primary caregivers, 100 each of patients suffering from Schizophrenia and BPAD was included. The phenomena and severity of perceived burden, psychopathology of family members in both the groups were studied and compared. Burden of caregivers was assessed by using BAS scale. Psychopathology of the caregivers assessed by HDRS and HARS. Appropriate statistical tests were applied, and data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 16 and Primer of Biostatistics software. RESULTS According to BAS Score, burden perceived by caregivers of patients suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (p=0.67) was equal and in mild to moderate range. (p= 0.001). Clinically diagnosable depression and anxiety were also in mild to moderate range in both groups. Depressive symptoms (schizophrenia group n-63% & BPAD group n-77%) were more common than anxiety symptoms (schizophrenia group n=27% & BPAD group n=24%) in both groups. Caregivers of bipolar group (n-77) experienced depressive symptoms more than caregivers of schizophrenia (n=63) group. Majority of caregivers perceived moderate anxiety. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that degree of caregiver burden was the same in both the disorders. Caregivers experience considerable amount of distress as a result of the care giving role, and are vulnerable to developing minor psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. Mild to moderate depression appears to be more commonly present. Caregivers of BPAD are more at risk of developing psychopathology. Anxiety seems to be an early predictor of perceived burden, therefore can be helpful in aiming at early interventional strategies to reduce burden.