This work deals with the development of an efficient method for the removal of a MG (malachite green) dye from aqueous solution using polyaniline (PANI)–Nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) magnetic nanocomposite. It is successfully synthesised in situ through self polymerisation of monomer aniline. Adsorptive removal studies are carried out for water soluble MG dye using PANI–Nickel ferrite magnetic nanocomposite in aqueous solution. Different parameters like dose of adsorbent, contact time, different initial conc., and pH have been studied to optimise reaction condition. It is concluded that adsorptive removal by PANI–Nickel ferrite magnetic nanocomposite is an efficient method for removing a MG dye from aqueous solution than work done before. The optimum conditions for the removal of the dye are initial concentration 30 mg l−1, adsorbent dose 5gm l−1 and pH 7. The adsorption capacity is found 4.09 mg g−1 at optimum condition 30 mg l−1. The adsorption followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. The experimental isotherm is found to fit with Langmuir equation. The prepared adsorbent is characterised by techniques SEM, EDS, XRD and VSM.