The torque ripple in five-phase induction motor (FP-IM) is reduced in the proposed direct torque control (DTC) drive scheme. The three-level five-phase inverter (TL-FPI) is utilized to feed the five-phase machine due to provision of availability of more switching states as compared to two-level five-phase inverter. The implemented 81 switching states among 243 available are distributed in 20 sectors each having 18° width. The 20-sector distribution gives more fine torque ripple slopes as compared to the 10-sector distribution by increasing the switchover frequency of the switching states. The main and intermediate switching states are alternately employed which maintain the torque slope (ripple) lower. An increase in changeover frequency of voltage vectors (VVs) decreases the sharpness of torque ripple, which keeps the magnitude of torque ripple lower. While reducing the torque ripple, the common-mode voltage (CMV) is controlled. Additionally, the phase current and stator flux are improved. The several results are provided with this paper to showcase the torque ripple reduction. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.