PURPOSE: To produce a hydrogenation catalyst having high desulfurization activity when used in hydrogenation of distilled oil such as hydrocarbon oil, especially light oil.

CONSTITUTION: An Ni component is carried on a silica-alumina carrier by 1.0-5.0wt.% (expressed in terms of NiO) basing on the amt. of the resulting catalyst and the carrier is fired at 300-700°C. An Mo component and a Co component and/ or an Ni component are then simultaneously carried on the carrier by 12.0-20.0wt.% (expressed in terms of MoO3) and 2.0-8.0wt.% (expressed in terms of CoO and/or NiO) basing on the amt. of the catalyst, respectively, and the carrier is fired at 300-700°C to produce the objective hydrogenation catalyst.