A2 · Breeds
A2 Cow Breeds of India: Gir, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi & More
India’s indigenous (desi) cattle breeds — more than 50 are registered with ICAR-NBAGR — give mostly A2 milk. The best-known dairy breeds are Gir, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Tharparkar and Rathi; others include Kankrej, Hariana, Ongole, Deoni and Badri. ‘Mostly’ matters: genotype studies found 76% of Badri and 82% of Umbalachery cows A2A2, with the rest A1A2, while Kangayam cows tested all A2A2. So a breed name is a good start, but a herd test is the proof.
Quick take
- 50+ registered indigenous cattle breeds (NBAGR).
- Top dairy breeds: Gir, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Tharparkar, Rathi.
- Mostly A2: e.g. Kangayam 100%, Umbalachery 82%, Badri 76% A2A2.
- Herd testing confirms A2.
“Desi cow” is often used as shorthand for A2. It is a good rule of thumb, not a guarantee.
We make A2 buffalo bilona ghee, so we have an interest here; figures are from our lab report and the cited sources.
The main dairy breeds
| Breed | Home region | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Gir | Saurashtra, Gujarat | Famous dairy breed; domed forehead, long ears (Gir ghee) |
| Sahiwal | Punjab region | Most productive desi dairy breed (Rathi vs Sahiwal) |
| Red Sindhi | Originally Sindh; kept across India | Hardy dairy breed |
| Tharparkar | Thar desert, Rajasthan | Dual-purpose, drought-hardy |
| Rathi | Bikaner, Rajasthan | Desert dairy breed |
| Kankrej | Gujarat, Rajasthan | Dual-purpose |
| Hariana | Haryana | Dual-purpose |
| Ongole | Andhra Pradesh | Large dual-purpose breed |
| Deoni | Maharashtra, Karnataka | Dual-purpose |
| Badri | Uttarakhand hills | Small hill cow (Badri ghee) |
How A2 are they? The genotype data
| Breed (study) | A2A2 | A1A2 |
|---|---|---|
| Kangayam (Tamil Nadu, 2023) | 100% | 0% |
| Umbalachery (Tamil Nadu) | 82% | 18% |
| Badri (Uttarakhand, 90 animals) | 76% | 24% |
None of these studies found A1A1 cows in the native breeds, but A1A2 animals still produce some A1 protein. That is why a credible A2 brand tests its herd (what A2A2 means).
Pure breed vs ‘breed-like’
Crossbreeding has diluted many native breeds. One review estimated that about two-thirds of Gir cattle in Saurashtra are graded or ‘Gir-like’ rather than pure, and crossbreds can carry A1 from exotic ancestors (best A2 Gir cow ghee, Jersey milk).
The buffalo alternative
Buffalo milk avoids the herd question: all 172 Murrah buffaloes in a 2023 study were A2A2 (is buffalo milk A2?). All four famous cow breeds compared: Gir vs Sahiwal vs Rathi vs Badri.
Sources & references
- ICAR-NBAGR Newsletter, January–June 2025 (registered breeds)
- Kathiravan P et al. A study on β-casein gene polymorphism in crossbred cattle and Murrah / graded Murrah buffalo in Tamil Nadu. Indian Journal of Animal Research, 2023; 57(7)
- Umbalachery cattle beta-casein genotyping (Tetra ARMS PCR). Indian Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Research, 47(3)
- Dar AH, Sodhi M et al. Distribution of allelic and genotyping frequency of A1/A2 allele of beta casein in Badri cattle. Journal of Livestock Biodiversity
- Gajbhiye PU et al. Present status and future prospects of Gir cow. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 2016; 86(5)
- National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)
Frequently asked questions
Which Indian cow breeds are A2?
Indigenous breeds such as Gir, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Tharparkar, Rathi, Kankrej and Hariana give mostly A2 milk.
Are all desi cows A2?
Mostly but not all. Studies found 76% of Badri and 82% of Umbalachery cows A2A2, the rest A1A2.
How many cow breeds does India have?
More than 50 indigenous cattle breeds are registered with ICAR-NBAGR.
Which is the best A2 cow breed?
No breed has been shown to give healthier milk; Gir and Sahiwal are the best-known dairy breeds.
Or skip the herd question: buffalo
A2 Farmer Buffalo Bilona Ghee — A2A2 confirmed by PCR, 99.76% milk fat, hand-churned and glass-packed. From ₹799.
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