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Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of addition of Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) to the conventional Glass-Ionomer Cement (GIC) on its antibacterial and selective mechanical properties. Materials and Methods: Conventional posterior glass ionomer restorative cement- Fuji IX was used as the control group (control-GIC). Experimental group was prepared by incorporating zinc oxide nano particles of size <50nm into the powder of Fuji IX at 3% W/W concentration with P/L ratio 3.6:1. The antibacterial activity of the set material against Streptococcus mutans was assessed using the agar diffusion test. The compressive strength and shear bond strength were measured using the Universal testing machine. Data was analyzed using Independent T test. Results: Experimental group showed significant increase in antibacterial properties for both set and unset specimens. Incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles has no significant difference over the mechanical properties of set Glass Ionomer Cement. Conclusion: The study showed significant increase in antibacterial property of set GIC with ZnO nanoparticles without modifying the mechanical properties. Thus incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles in glass ionomer cement can be considered as a better alternative to conventional GIC.