Non- or reduced availability of light is a major debacle for higher plant growth, leading to the condition of etiolation. In these pot experiments, conducted in growth chamber, the purpose was to study the possible mechanism of plant growth regulators (PGRs) in the changing the etiolation/de-etiolation response of maize seedlings. Different PGRs i.e., ascorbic acid (AsA), thiourea (TU), cycocel (CCC) and kinetins (Kin) were applied in three modes to observe their efficacy in the induction of de-etiolation and measure the seedling growth, physiological and biochemical attributes. Results revealed that, as compared to control condition, the etiolation caused the shoot elongation, severely reduced the gas exchange attributes and declined the contents of photosynthetic pigments. Furthermore, H2O2 and MDA contents were enhanced due to etiolation while there was a decline in the levels of AsA, niacin, riboflavin, soluble phenolics, flavonoids and anthocyanins, soluble sugars, total free amino acids, free proline and glycine betaine, while tannins and alkaloids were thriftily changed. Although to a differential extent, the exogenously application of PGRs was effective in reducing the etiolation and there was a prominent reversal of etiolation induced changes during detiolation of seedlings by different modes of PGRs application. Among the PGRs, the application of Kin followed by AsA, CCC, TU were effective in producing profound changes. The data from longitudinal section of mesocotyls revealed that there was a prominent elongation of xylem, endodermis, cortical cell and epidermal cells, and also there was a prominent formation of ray cells in the etiolated seedling. The transverse section revealed an increased area of cortical cells and endodermal cells. The seed priming, foliar spray and combined application of PGRs were effective in combating etiolation to a remarkable extent, although the effect of combined application of seed priming and foliar spray was more prominent followed by foliar spray and seed priming. The etiolation of maize seedling can be at least partially reversed with the exogenous application of PGRs. These findings have great implications for growing maize and possibly other crops in the areas where subdue light is a limiting factor in early growing season.