This paper reports the investigation of microwave initiated synthesized polyacrylamide grafted carboxymethylstarch (CMS-g-PAM) as matrix for sustained drug release. 'In vitro' release of a model drug (5-amino salicylic acid) from CMS-g-PAM matrix has been studied. It is evident that higher the percentage grafting, more sustained is the rate of drug release. Further, the percentage grafting vs. t(50) value (i.e. time taken for release of 50% of the enclosed drug) correlation has been successfully studied for the first time. This correlation will lead to the possibility of a programmable drug release matrix based on grafted polysaccharide. In this matrix, the rate of release of the enclosed drug can be precisely programmed simply by adjustment of percentage grafting during synthesis.