Improving crop development and output requires efficient nutrient management, mainly when growing rice in an aerobic system using drip. Conventional rice farming and incorrect fertilizer delivery frequently result in a number of losses, including water loss, denitrification and volatilization. Split application of soluble fertilizers under drip irrigation techniques has become viable, increasing production while reducing water consumption. To address the problem, the trial was planned to find the optimum level of drip irrigation and fertigation for maximum productivity and water-use efficacy of aerobic rice. A study was conducted in the summer of 2022 and 2023 wetland farm Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. The trial was operationalized using a randomized complete block design comprising 13 treatments, each duplicated thrice. Supplement of drip fertigation at the rate of 100% pan evaporation till 30 days after sowing (DAS), 150% pan evaporation till 60 DAS, 200% pan evaporation till 90 DAS with 125% recommended dose of fertilizer (25% as normal fertilizers + 75% as water-soluble fertilizers) exhibited notably greater number of productive tillers (416 and 434 m-2) and increased panicle weight (2.07 and 2.08 g) respectively in summer 2022 and 2023 as related to other treatments. The similar treatment demonstrated enhanced water-use efficacy (5.12 and 5.17 kg ha-mm-1), higher grain (4316 and 4446 kg/ha) and biological yield (9844 and 10221 kg/ha). Thus, it managed to conserve 25% and 24% of irrigation water compared to surface irrigation during both the years of the experimentations. Hence, adopting rice under the drip method in areas where water is scarce benefits the farmers.