Highly dispersed palladium catalysts on carbon were prepared by reduction of their salts with various reducing agents. The crystallite parameters and metal surface area were evaluated by XRD and electrochemical techniques. The electrochemical activity for the oxidation of hydrogen, methanol, formaldehyde and ethylene glycol and reduction of oxygen was evaluated in alkaline solutions by making PTFE bonded carbon electrodes. The electrochemical activity was correlated with the catalyst properties. Pd dispersed catalysts on carbon supports exhibit high activity for the oxidation of hydrogen and ethylene glycol in alkaline medium. Their electrochemical activity is dependant upon the crystallite properties like surface area, dispersion and crystallite size. For oxygen reduction reaction, the activity can be increased by alloying with other elements.