In present study, Nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) modified Dendrocalamus strictus charcoal powder was investigated as adsorbent for the removal of Cd (II) metal ions from aqueous solutions. The study revealed that the adsorbent dose 2 g/L of NTA modified Dendrocalamus strictus charcoal powder under optimized conditions viz., pH (6), contact time (2h), temperature (25°C) and concentration (50mg/l) of cadmium metal ions exhibited maximum (89.66%) removal of Cd (II) metal ions. Further, genotoxicity studies using Allium cepa root chromosomal aberration assay showed significant reduction in chromosomal aberrations after the adsorption by NTA modified Dendrocalamus strictus charcoal powder. The study proved that NTA modified Dendrocalamus strictus charcoal powder is an excellent adsorbent with high adsorption capacity for the removal of Cd (II) from industrial waste water.