An exhaust gas purifying apparatus for internal combustion engine that attains an enhancement of NOx purification performance. The exhaust gas purifying apparatus is one disposed along an exhaust passageway of internal combustion engine, comprising a NOx retention member; ozone introduction means for introducing ozone in an exhaust gas upstream of the NOx retention member; a HC adsorbent capable of adsorbing HC contained in the exhaust gas; and a catalyst provided at a site wherein desorbed NOx and HC are brought into contact with each other. The HC adsorbent is prepared so that adsorbed HC is desorbed with the timing that the NOx stored in the NOx retention member is desorbed.