Nano structured Ti(C-x,N1-x) (x = 0.1-0.5 mol fraction) cermets are prepared at room temperature in a single step by ball-milling the stoichiometric mixtures of elemental alpha-Ti and graphite powders under nitrogen atmosphere. Within 1 h of milling (for x = 0.1), the alpha-Ti (hcp) phase partially transformed to metastable beta-Ti (cubic) phase and the initiation of Ti(C-x,N1-x) (fcc) phase is noticed. Complete formation of Ti(C0.1N0.9) composition is observed after 5 h of milling and the other compositions are formed within 7 h of milling without any contamination either from the starting ingredients or from the milling media. Microstructure characterization of all unmilled and ball-milled powders is made by analyzing their respective X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns employing the Rietveld structure refinement method. The microstructure of ball-milled samples is also characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). These analyses reveal the inclusion of both C and N atoms into the alpha-Ti lattice and confirm the average particle size of almost monodispersed spherical particles of Ti(C-x,N1-x) is similar to 4 nm. The final compositions are also verified by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) elemental analysis. Ti(C-x,N1-x) cermets are insulators and their optical band gap increases continuously from similar to 4.58-5.38 eV with increasing C concentrations. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.