Of the more than 800 cattle breeds recognized worldwide, India had 27 acknowledged indigenous breeds of cattle and 7 breeds of buffalo. the ICAR recognized 50 breeds that are indigenous in India, of which two cattle breeds and three buffalo breeds were added in 2018. Local conservation programs are endeavouring to maintain the purity of breeds such as Tharparkar, dwarf cattle such as Kasaragod, and Kankrej, Amrit Mahal and Kangayam. On the basis of main uses, Indigenous cattle breeds are classified in to milch (cow and buffaloes for milk), draft (load carrying such as ox), and dual purpose (i.e. milk and draft).
Total population and breeds of indigenous cattle of India are as follows:
ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal (NBAGR) is the nodal agency for the registration of newly identified germplasm of Cattle are:
Total population and indigenous buffalo breed of India are as follows:
The total Buffalo Population in the country was 109.85 million in 2019. Total Buffalo has increased by 1.1% over the previous Livestock Census (2012). The Female Buffalo Population increased by 8.61% whereas the Male Buffalo is declined by 42.35% over the previous census. About 20.5% of the total livestock is contributed by buffaloes.
There are 19 registered Buffalo breeds in India under ICAR - NBAGR are as follows