The problem of magnetohydrodyanmic stagnation point flow and heat transfer of second grade fluid past a radially stretching sheet is investigated. The flow problems are examined in the presence of Newtonian heating and Soret and Dufour effects. The relevant mathematical problems are developed through equations of continuity, momentum, energy and concentration. The reduced differential equations are solved for the convergent series solutions. In order to validate the homotopy analysis method (HAM), a comparative study between the present and previous results is made. It is observed that Dufour and Soret effects on temperature and concentration distributions are different. Qualitatively, the influence of Prandtl number on temperature and Schmidt number on concentration is similar. It is further noted that the diffusion of solute in second grade fluid is increasing function of Soret number whereas it decreases when Dufour number increases.