The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the effects of different NPK fertility levels and split application schedules of nitrogen and potassium on the growth, yield, post-harvest soil nutrient availability, nutrient uptake and economic performance of sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata). Among the different fertility levels, application of 100 per cent recommended NPK (150:65:65 kg N₂O₅₂O ha⁻¹) resulted in the highest plant height (162.94 cm), number of leaves (10.73 plant⁻¹), leaf area (3,883.92 cm² plant⁻¹), leaf area index (3.41), cob length (21.24 cm), cob girth (17.46 cm), cob weight (355.02 g) and number of grains per cob (512.22). This treatment also recorded the highest fresh cob yield (161.82 q ha⁻¹) and fresh fodder yield (169.19 q ha⁻¹). Further, it resulted in the highest post-harvest available nitrogen (230.32 kg ha⁻¹) and phosphorus (40.16 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹), with corresponding nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake of 130.59, 27.45 and 127.90 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. With respect to split application schedules, the application of nitrogen and potassium in four splits at basal, 15, 30 and 45 days after sowing recorded superior growth and yield performance, with a fresh cob yield of 152.22 q ha⁻¹ and fresh fodder yield of 168.24 q ha⁻¹, along with higher nutrient uptake. The interaction between 100 per cent recommended NPK and four-split application of nitrogen and potassium (L3S2) recorded the highest numerical values for fresh cob yield (167.33 q ha⁻¹), fresh fodder yield (179.21 q ha⁻¹), gross returns (₹2,21,093 ha⁻¹), net returns (₹1,50,841 ha⁻¹) and benefit–cost ratio (3.15). However, the interaction effects on growth and yield parameters were statistically non-significant, despite the numerical superiority of this treatment combination. Overall, the results revealed that the application of 100 per cent recommended NPK in combination with four-split application of nitrogen and potassium was the most promising nutrient management strategy for enhancing sweet corn productivity and economic returns under the agro-climatic conditions of the study.