This invention relates to improved catalytic compositions suited for use in hydrogenation processes and to an improved process for hydrogenating organic compounds as in amination of alcohols or hydrogenation of nitrile and nitro groups to the amine using the catalyst. The catalytic composition is more particularly an improvement in nickel catalysts promoted with palladium carried on a support. The improvement resides in including a promoting effect of a metal M and/or its oxide, selected from Zn, Cd, Cu, and Ag, typically from about 0.01 to 10% by weight of the support.