Recommended Rice Varieties for Indian States

India cultivates rice across more than 44 million hectares, making it the world’s second-largest rice producer. But here’s the thing – not every rice variety works everywhere. Soil type, rainfall patterns, temperature, pest pressure, and even consumer preference vary dramatically from state to state. That’s why agricultural research institutions across the country have developed and recommended specific rice varieties and hybrids tailored to regional conditions. Choosing the right variety is one of the most consequential decisions a farmer makes each season.

Why state-specific rice varieties matter 🔗

India’s rice-growing regions span tropical coastlines, semi-arid plateaus, humid river deltas, and cold mountain valleys. A variety bred for the irrigated plains of Punjab won’t necessarily perform well in the rainfed lowlands of Odisha. Each recommended variety is the result of years of coordinated testing through the All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project (AICRIP), which evaluates experimental lines across multiple agro-climatic zones before any variety earns an official recommendation.

The key factors that determine which variety is recommended for a given state include the duration of the growing season, resistance to locally prevalent pests and diseases, tolerance to abiotic stresses like drought or salinity, grain quality suited to local consumer preferences, and compatibility with the existing cropping system (such as rice-wheat rotations in north India).

Hybrid rice varieties: higher yields through heterosis 🔗

Hybrid rice varieties exploit heterosis (hybrid vigour), where the offspring of two genetically distinct parent lines outperforms both parents. These hybrids typically deliver 15-25% higher yields compared to conventional inbred varieties, which is why they’ve gained significant traction in several Indian states.

India’s hybrid rice programme began producing results in the early 1990s. The first hybrids were released for commercial cultivation in 1994 through the state variety release committees. Since then, dozens of hybrids have been developed by both public-sector research institutes and private seed companies for different parts of the country.

APHR 1 and APHR 2 – Andhra Pradesh 🔗

APHR 1 was among the first rice hybrids released in India, notified in 1994 and developed by the Andhra Pradesh Rice Research Institute (APRRI), Maruteru, under ANGRAU. It matures in about 130-135 days and can yield around 7.14 tonnes per hectare. APHR 2, released the same year, has a slightly shorter duration of 120-125 days and an even higher yield potential of about 7.52 tonnes per hectare. Both were specifically recommended for the Telangana and Rayalaseema regions of the then-undivided Andhra Pradesh.

PHB 71 – multi-state hybrid 🔗

PHB 71 was developed by Pioneer Overseas Corporation (a private company) and released by the Central Variety Release Committee (CVRC) in 1997. It has a duration of 130-135 days and a yield potential of about 7.86 tonnes per hectare, making it one of the higher-yielding hybrids of its time. PHB 71 was recommended for multiple states including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Farmers adopted this hybrid because of its resistance to brown planthopper and blast disease, two of the most damaging rice pests in southern and eastern India. It also has intermediate amylose content, which gives the cooked grain a desirable texture.

Pusa RH 10 – Haryana and the Basmati belt 🔗

Pusa RH 10 holds a unique distinction – it is the world’s first superfine-grain aromatic rice hybrid, developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. It was released by the CVRC in 2001 for irrigated regions of Haryana, Delhi, Western Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Pusa RH 10 was created by crossing the CMS line Pusa 6A with the restorer Pusa Sugandh 2.

What makes this hybrid particularly important for Haryana is that it fits neatly into the state’s dominant rice-wheat cropping system. It matures in just 115-120 days – significantly earlier than conventional Basmati varieties that take 135-150 days. This early maturity gives farmers enough time to prepare their fields for the next wheat crop. The hybrid also yields 20-30% more than Pusa Basmati 1 while maintaining good grain quality and aroma.

DRRH 1 – Andhra Pradesh and beyond 🔗

DRRH 1 was developed by the Directorate of Rice Research (now ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research) in Hyderabad and released in 1996. It has a duration of 125-130 days with a yield potential of around 7.30 tonnes per hectare. Although initially released for Andhra Pradesh, it showed strong performance across irrigated areas in the south. Like PHB 71, DRRH 1 has intermediate amylose content and intermediate alkaline value, both of which contribute to acceptable cooking quality.

Other notable hybrid varieties by state 🔗

Beyond these well-known names, several other hybrids deserve mention. KRH 1 and KRH 2, developed at the VC Farm, Mandya (UAS Bangalore), were released for Karnataka. KRH 2, in particular, received multi-state recommendation covering Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Haryana, and several other states. MGR 1 (CORH 1), developed by TNAU Coimbatore, was the first rice hybrid released for Tamil Nadu. In Uttar Pradesh, Pant Sankar Dhan 1 was released from GBPUAT Pantnagar. West Bengal received CNRH 3 from the Rice Research Station at Chinsurah.

Popular inbred (non-hybrid) varieties across states 🔗

While hybrids offer yield advantages, inbred varieties remain the backbone of rice cultivation in most Indian states. Farmers can save seed from inbred varieties for the next season, reducing input costs – something they cannot do with hybrids, where fresh seed must be purchased each year.

Sona Masuri (BPT 5204) – Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka 🔗

Sona Masuri is one of India’s most widely consumed rice varieties, especially in the southern states. Grown extensively in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, it produces medium-slender grains known for a slightly sweet taste and light texture. Telangana Sona (RNR 15048), a more recently developed variety, has also gained popularity in Telangana for its quick cooking and low glycaemic index.

Swarna (MTU 7029) – West Bengal, Odisha, and eastern India 🔗

Swarna is arguably the most widely grown rice variety in eastern India. It dominates the rice fields of West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, and Jharkhand. Its popularity comes from a combination of stable yields, medium-duration growth, and acceptable grain quality. Along with Swarna, varieties like IR 36 are also commonly cultivated in these states.

Pusa Basmati 1121 and PR 126 – Punjab 🔗

Punjab is India’s third-largest rice-producing state and a major contributor to the country’s Basmati exports. Pusa Basmati 1121 and Pusa Basmati 1509 are the leading aromatic varieties, while non-Basmati types like PR 126, PR 121, and PR 106 are grown for domestic consumption. PR 126 is particularly valued because it matures early, saving irrigation water – a critical concern in Punjab where groundwater depletion due to rice cultivation is a serious issue.

Indigenous varieties of Chhattisgarh 🔗

Known as the “rice bowl of central India,” Chhattisgarh is home to over 2,000 indigenous rice varieties. Popular traditional types include Dubraj, Jeera Phool, Laicha, and Lal Dhan. These heritage varieties may not match modern hybrids in yield, but they hold cultural significance and are increasingly valued for their unique grain quality and nutritional profiles.

Basmati and scented rice varieties 🔗

Aromatic rice commands premium prices both domestically and in export markets. India is the world’s largest exporter of Basmati rice, and selecting the right aromatic varieties is critical for farmers aiming to tap into this lucrative segment.

Basmati 370 – the traditional standard 🔗

Basmati 370 is one of the oldest and most traditional Basmati varieties, cultivated primarily in Punjab, Haryana, and parts of Uttar Pradesh. It is valued for its exceptional aroma and long, slender grains that elongate significantly upon cooking. However, Basmati 370 is a tall variety prone to lodging (falling over), has relatively low yields, and takes 140-150 days to mature.

Modern Basmati breeding has addressed many of these limitations. Pusa Basmati 1 was the first semi-dwarf Basmati variety, maturing in about 135 days with yields of 5-5.5 tonnes per hectare. Its successors – Pusa Basmati 1121 (extra-long grain, very high elongation ratio), Pusa Basmati 1509 (early maturing at 120 days), and Pusa Basmati 1692 – have progressively improved yield, disease resistance, and duration while preserving aromatic quality. Several of these improved varieties have been developed and released by IARI, New Delhi.

Jeeraga Samba – Tamil Nadu’s aromatic treasure 🔗

Jeeraga Samba (also spelled Seeraga Samba) is a traditional aromatic variety unique to Tamil Nadu. Its tiny, oval grains resemble cumin seeds – “seeragam” in Tamil – which is how the variety gets its name. The “samba” part refers to the growing season, typically August to January. This rice is the essential ingredient for authentic Tamil Nadu-style biryani, where its firm texture and ability to absorb flavours without turning mushy make it irreplaceable.

Jeeraga Samba is traditionally cultivated in the Cauvery Delta region, with Uppiliyapuram, Kumbakonam, Kolli Hills, and Lalgudi being well-known growing areas. Despite lower yields compared to modern varieties, it fetches a premium price – it is reportedly the most expensive rice grown in Tamil Nadu. The variety needs fertile soil and does not tolerate heavy chemical fertiliser applications, which is why organic cultivation methods are often preferred.

Other scented varieties worth noting 🔗

Gobindobhog from West Bengal is a short-grain aromatic rice traditionally used for payesh (rice pudding) and khichuri. Kalanamak, a GI-tagged scented rice from eastern Uttar Pradesh, has a distinctive flavour. In Kerala, Jeerakasala – a GI-tagged variety from Wayanad – is used for the region’s famous Malabar biryani.

New frontiers: biofortified and genome-edited varieties 🔗

Rice breeding in India is evolving rapidly. In 2024, India deployed 31 new rice varieties developed through collaboration between ICAR and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Among these are biofortified varieties like DRR Dhan 79 and Sabour Vijay Dhan, which contain 20-22 ppm of zinc – nearly double the amount found in conventional rice.

In May 2025, ICAR took an even bigger step by releasing India’s first genome-edited rice varieties – DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) and Pusa DST Rice 1. Kamala, based on the popular Samba Mahsuri, produces more grains per panicle and matures 20 days earlier. Pusa DST Rice 1 is designed for drought and salinity tolerance, with field trials showing yield increases of up to 30% in stressed soils. These varieties contain no foreign DNA and were developed using CRISPR-Cas technology.

How to choose the right variety: key factors for farmers 🔗

Selecting a recommended variety isn’t just about picking the one with the highest yield number. Farmers need to consider several interacting factors:

Duration and cropping system: In states like Haryana and Punjab, where rice is followed by wheat, early-maturing varieties (115-125 days) are essential. In states with single-crop systems, longer-duration varieties with higher yield potential may be preferable.

Pest and disease resistance: Varieties recommended for a given region typically carry resistance to locally important diseases. For example, many varieties for southern India include resistance genes against bacterial leaf blight and blast. PHB 71, as mentioned earlier, was adopted partly because of its brown planthopper resistance.

Abiotic stress tolerance: Coastal farmers need salinity-tolerant varieties. Rainfed areas require drought tolerance. Flood-prone regions like parts of Bihar and Assam benefit from submergence-tolerant varieties carrying the SUB1 gene.

Market preference and grain quality: Growing a high-yielding variety means little if local consumers don’t prefer its grain type. In Andhra Pradesh, medium-slender grains are preferred. In Punjab, long-slender Basmati grains command export premiums. In Tamil Nadu, the short-grain Jeeraga Samba fetches top prices for biryani.

Looking ahead 🔗

India’s rice varietal landscape continues to expand. With climate change intensifying heat stress, erratic rainfall, and salinity intrusion, the demand for resilient varieties will only grow. Genome editing and marker-assisted selection are accelerating the development pipeline, making it possible to stack multiple beneficial traits – high yield, disease resistance, stress tolerance, and superior grain quality – into a single variety much faster than traditional breeding alone could achieve.

State agricultural universities, ICAR institutes, and private seed companies will continue to release improved varieties tailored to regional needs. For farmers, staying informed about the latest recommended varieties for their specific agro-climatic zone remains one of the most reliable strategies for improving productivity and profitability.

What do you think? With genome-edited rice varieties now entering Indian agriculture, how might this shift the balance between traditional heritage varieties and modern high-yielding ones? And for farmers in your region, is grain quality or yield potential the bigger factor when choosing a rice variety?

References

1. https://www.icar-iirr.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31&Itemid=25&lang=en
2. https://www.fao.org/4/y3544e/y3544e04.htm
3. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237212738_Hybrid_Rice_in_Andhra_Pradesh_Findings_of_a_Survey
4. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Pedigree-of-Pusa-Basmati-1-and-its-derived-Basmati-varieties_fig2_257808262
5. https://tractorkarvan.com/blog/largest-rice-producing-states-in-india
6. https://www.tradologie.com/blogs/rice-farming-in-india/
7. https://ztmbpd.iari.res.in/technologies/varietieshybrids/cereals/rice/
8. https://shalikuta.org/product/jeeraga-samba/
9. https://www.agtechnavigator.com/Article/2025/12/02/india-deploys-31-new-rice-varieties-developed-by-irrinares-to-boost-yield-nutrition/
10. https://www.icar.org.in/en/union-agriculture-minister-shri-shivraj-singh-chouhan-announces-two-genome-edited-rice-varieties