India, third richest biodiversity countries in the Asia, and it is home to huge indigenous cattle genetic resources. India having 190.9 million cattle population with 43 register native indigenous cattle breeds, in addition to this large number of non-descript cattle population available throughout country. This indigenous cattle breeds are especially more adapted to different agro-climatic conditions of India and some of indigenous cattle breeds were performing excellent in other country throughout world. In recent times, several of the indigenous breeds suffered decline mainly due to their becoming uneconomical. Apart from this indigenous cattle breeds have merits like better disease resistance, low input management and better survival in extreme weather condition, this make them imperative in current climate change situation. Phenotypic characterization is vital for managing the animal genetic resources at nationwide and regional levels. Huge proportion of non-descript cattle characterization and inventorization of cattle genetic resources of India is still incomplete. National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) at Karnal by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), is main functioning on identification, evaluation, characterization, conservation and sustainable Utilization of Livestock Genetic Resources. With efforts from NBAGR phenotypic characterization of domestic animal diversity of India, accelerated. A large number of recognized livestock and poultry breeds and populations were systematically studied and documented recently. This review provides information of the cattle breeds recently recognize by NBAGR, ICAR and population of cattle, phenotypic characterization and documentation in India.

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