PURPOSE: To provide a method for producing a hydrogenation catalyst for hydrogen oil processing having an outstandingly higher catalytic activity than any catalyst which has hitherto been purposed and permitting reduction of the hydrocarbon operating cost.

CONSTITUTION: To the carrier consisting mainly of either or both of inorg. oxide or its hydration product as a base catalyst are added the group VI metals (Mo or W) and the group VIII metal (Co or Ni) in the periodic table or phosphorus in addition thereto, at least one kind of tartaric acid, citric acid and other specific carboxylic acid in an amt. of 0.3-3.5 times the total mols of the metals and mercaptoacetic acid, mercaptosuccinic acid or other specific org. sulfur compound in an amt. of at least 0.1 time the amt. required to change activated metals into the sulfide form. The resulting mixture is thereafter kneaded, shaped and dried at a temp. not higher than 200°C to produce a hydrogenation catalyst. This permits an extremely easy production of the hydrogenation catalyst which can perform a high degree of the hydrogenation capable of desulfurization and denitrification of hydrocarbon oil under a milder operating condition than in the conventional operation.