ICAR's Genome Breakthrough Paves Way for Better Pigeonpea Varieties - 4th August 2026 - Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare - Gazette Notification PDF
Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare on 4th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed India’s first fully annotated telomere-to-telomere (T2T) reference genome for the pigeonpea variety 'Asha,' which has been approved as the global reference. Released on 20 April 2026, this high-quality genetic blueprint aims to accelerate the breeding of climate-resilient and high-yielding varieties to achieve self-sufficiency in pulse production. The breakthrough supports the national "Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses," which targets a total production of 35 million tonnes by 2030–31.
Key Points / Main Content
Technical Specifications of the T2T Genome
The genome assembly (NIPBCcT2T4) contains 752.65 million base pairs of DNA assembled into 92 contigs.
It provides a complete representation of all 11 chromosomes, including 11 centromeres and 22 telomeres.
The annotation identified 36,557 genes and 48,008 coding sequences (mRNAs) with a mapping accuracy exceeding 99.9%.
The sequence is deposited in the NCBI global database under accession number GCF_000230855.1.
Research and Breeding Advancements
The T2T genome serves as a foundational resource for pangenome analyses and the discovery of genes related to agronomic and nutritional traits.
The milestone enables the application of molecular breeding and genome-editing technologies to improve the pigeonpea crop.
Development efforts focus on creating varieties that are high-yielding, pest-resistant, and adaptable to climate change.
National Strategic Goals
The "Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses" (running from 2025-26 to 2030-31) aims to reduce import dependence and enhance farmer income.
Strategies involve area expansion, technology adoption, assured procurement, and strengthened post-harvest infrastructure.
ICAR continues to supervise breeder seed production, conduct multi-location trials, and provide technology dissemination through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
Impact Analysis
Scientists and ResearchersImpact
They gain access to the most comprehensive genetic blueprint of pigeonpea to date for advanced gene discovery and pangenome analysis.
Action Required
Utilize the NCBI-deposited genomic data to conduct research into genome editing and molecular breeding.
Plant BreedersImpact
The high-quality reference genome allows for the accelerated development of nutritionally enriched and climate-resilient pulse varieties.
Action Required
Integrate the T2T reference sequence into breeding programs to improve crop traits and expedite the release of superior varieties.
FarmersImpact
Farmers stand to benefit from higher-yielding seeds and improved production technologies, leading to enhanced productivity and livelihoods.
Action Required
Adopt improved seed varieties and follow scientific production protocols disseminated via ICAR and KVK extension services.
Government of India / ICARImpact
The breakthrough provides the necessary scientific foundation to meet the target of 35 million tonnes of pulse production by 2030–31.
Action Required
Continue supervising seed systems, providing capacity-building support, and managing the "Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses."
Key Entities Referenced
Mission for ‘Aatmanirbharta in Pulses’: A government initiative (2025-26 to 2030-31) aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in pulse production, reducing import dependence, and enhancing farmers' income through research and technology.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): The primary research organization responsible for developing India's first fully annotated telomere-to-telomere (T2T) reference genome for pigeonpea.
ICAR–National Institute for Plant Biotechnology (ICAR-NIPB): The New Delhi-based institute that conducted the pioneering genomic research and produced the world's first complete genetic blueprint for the pigeonpea crop.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
ICAR's Genome Breakthrough Paves Way for
Better Pigeonpea Varieties
ICAR-developed sequence approved as the global reference
genome of pigeonpea, making it India's first fully annotated
telomere-to-telomere (T2T) reference genome
High-quality genetic blueprint expected to accelerate
development of climate-resilient, high-yielding and nutritious
pigeonpea varieties, strengthening India's self-reliance in
pulses
Latest milestone builds on ICAR-NIPB's pioneering work that
produced the world's first draft genome of a pulse crop in
2011
प्रव तथ: 04 AUG 2026 6:02PM by PIB Delhi
In a major scientific breakthrough Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed India's
first fully annotated telomere-to-telomere (T2T) reference genome of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.
Millsp.) variety 'Asha'. Popularly known as ‘Arhar’ or ‘Tur’, pigeonpea is one of India's most important
pulse crops and a major source of dietary protein. It plays a vital role in ensuring the country's food and
nutritional security.
The breakthrough builds on the pioneering work of ICAR–National Institute for Plant Biotechnology,
New Delhi in pigeonpea genomics. In 2011, the institute published the world's first draft genome of a
pulse crop, pigeonpea variety 'Asha', which was also the first crop genome to be sequenced entirely in
India. An improved version of the draft genome was published in 2017, and the latest achievement
represents its complete telomere-to-telomere (T2T) genome sequence, providing the most comprehensive
genetic blueprint of the crop to date.The newly developed T2T genome sequence contains 752.65 million base pairs of DNA assembled into 92
contigs, providing a complete representation of all 11 chromosomes of pigeonpea. The genome assembly,
designated NIPB_CcT2T_4, has been deposited in the global database (NCBI) under accession number
GCF_000230855.1 and was released on 20 April 2026.
The genome assembly comprises all 11 chromosomes, including all 11 centromeres and 22 telomeres,
demonstrating chromosome-level completeness. A comprehensive genome annotation identified 36,557
genes, producing 48,008 mRNAs (coding sequences). Transcriptome (RNA sequence) mapping recorded
more than 99.9% read alignment, confirming the high accuracy and completeness of the genome.
The fully annotated T2T reference genome marks a significant milestone in India's pulse research
ecosystem. It will serve as a valuable national genomic resource for advanced gene and pangenome
analyses, discovery of genes associated with important agronomic and nutritional traits, and the
application of molecular breeding and genome-editing technologies. The development is expected to
accelerate the breeding of climate-resilient, high-yielding and nutritionally enriched pigeonpea varieties,
thereby strengthening the country's pulse improvement programme. The achievement will provide a major
impetus to research and innovation, benefit scientists, breeders and farmers, and contribute to enhanced
productivity, improved farmer livelihoods, and India's food and nutritional security.
The ICAR plays a pivotal role by developing high-yielding, pest-resistant, and climate-resilient pulse
varieties, supervising breeder seed production, conducting multi-location trials, demonstrating improved
production technologies through its institutes and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and providing scientific
support for capacity building and technology dissemination to farmers across the country.
The Government of India launched the Mission for ‘Aatmanirbharta in Pulses’ (2025-26 to 2030-31) to
achieve self-sufficiency in pulse production, reduce import dependence, and enhance farmers' income
through improved seeds, area expansion, technology adoption, assured procurement, and strengthened
post-harvest infrastructure. The mission aims to increase pulse production to about 35 million tonnes by
2030–31 through a comprehensive strategy involving research, seed systems, and extension services.➡ NCBI URL link for the Reference Genome of the Pigeonpea (Arhar/Tur Dal)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/datasets/genome/GCF_000230855.2/
➡ REVIEW PAPER Genetic and genomic resources for accelerating marker-assisted ideotype breeding i
n pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.)
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