A series of transition metal oxides promoted titania catalysts (MO (x) /TiO2; M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu) were prepared by wet impregnation method using dilute solutions of metal nitrate precursors. The catalytic activity of these materials was evaluated for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with CO as reductant in the presence of excess oxygen (2 vol.%). Among various promoted oxides, the MnO (x) /TiO2 system showed very promising catalytic activity for NO + CO reaction, giving higher than 90% NO conversion over a wide temperature window and at high space velocity (GHSV) of 50,000 h(-1). It is remarkable to note that the catalytic activity increased with oxygen, up to 4 vol.%, under these conditions leading primarily to nitrogen. Our TPR studies revealed the presence of mixed oxidation states of manganese on the catalyst surface. Characterization results indicated that the surface manganese oxide phase and the redox properties of the catalyst play an important role in final catalytic activity.