Abstract In the light of φ-mapping method and topological current theory,the stability of disclinations around aspherical particle in nematic liquid crystals is studied.We consider two different defect structures around a sphericalparticle:disclination ring and point defect at the north or south pole of the particle.We calculate the free energy ofthese different defects in the elastic theory.It is pointed out that the total Frank free energy density can be divided intotwo parts.One is the distorted energy density of director field around the disclinations.The other is the free energydensity of disclinations themselves,which is shown to be concentrated at the defect and to be topologically quantizedin the unit of (k-k_(24))π/2.It is shown that in the presence of saddle-splay elasticity a dipole(radial and hyperbolichedgehog)configuration that accompanies a particle with strong homeotropic anchoring takes the structure of a smalldiselination ring,not a point defect. Abstract In the light of φ-mapping method and topological current theory, the stability of disclinations around aspherical particle in nematic liquid crystals is studied. We consider two different defect structures around a spherical particle: disclination ring and point defect at the north or south pole of the particle. We calculate the free energy ofthese different defects in the elastic theory. It is pointed out that the total Frank free energy density can be divided intotwo parts. One is the distorted energy density of director field around the disclinations. the other is the free energydensity of disclinations themselves, which is shown to be concentrated at the defect and to be topologically quantized in the unit of (k-k_ (24)) π / 2.It is shown in the presence of saddle-splay elasticity a dipole radial and hyperbolichedgehog) configuration that accompanies a particle with strong homeotropic anchoring takes the structure of a small diselink ring, not a point defect.