A field investigation was conducted during the rainy seasons of 2014 and 2015 at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, to study the impact of live mulches, cover crops and herbicides on weeds and yield in direct-seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.). Sesbania cover crop followed by (fb) bispyribac Na 25 g/ha + azimsulfuron 30 g/ha at 15 DAS had lesser weed density and dry weight of grasses, sedges and broad-leaved weeds than sunhemp cover crop fb bispyribac-Na 25 g/ha + azimsulfuron 30 g/ha at 15 DAS. Sesbania cover crop fb bispyribac-Na 25 g/ha + azimsulfuron 30 g/ha at 15 DAS had higher harvest index in comparison to sunhemp cover crop fb bispyribac-Na 25 g/ha + azimsulfuron 30 g/ha at 15 DAS. Sesbania cover crop fb bispyribac-Na 25 g/ha + azimsulfuron 30 g/ha at 15 DAS improved grain and straw yields with higher gross and net returns, and benefit:cost ratio as compared to sunhemp cover crop fb bispyribac-Na 25 g/ha + azimsulfuron 30 g/ha at 15 DAS.