Graft copolymers of xanthangum and polyacrylamide have been prepared by grafting acrylamide onto xanthangum using ceric-ion-initiated solution polymerization technique. These graft copolymers have been tested for their drag reduction effectiveness, shear stability, and biodegradability. It has been shown that the grafting enhances the drag reduction effectiveness and biodegradation resistance of xanthangum considerably.