Acid catalyzed grafting, polycondensation, and crosslinking of acrylamide-formaldehyde (AMF) resin and simultaneous free radical graft copolymerization of the resin moieties on jute fabric were studied using a combination of MgCl2 and K2S2O8, respectively, as the (dual) catalyst system. Resin application and finish on jute fabric were accomplished by padding at room temperature, drying at 80 degrees C, and polymerization and curing at 150 degrees C. Changes in chemical structure and surface morphology of jute fiber on resin treatment were examined by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Application of 8% AMF resin under the dual catalyst system in appropriate doses produced the most improved balance in the properties of jute fabric, including tenacity, modulus, breaking extension, stiffness, crease recovery angle, fiber shedding, moisture regain, and dyeability. Analysis indicated that all the major constituents of jute, namely, alpha-cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin reacted with the AMF resin system and that the resin finish turned jute thermally more stable. Effects of different degrees of removal of lignin and hemicellulose from jute on its AMF resin uptake were also studied and reported.