This publication, written for resource managers, aquaculturists and scientists, reviews the genetic resources of Indian major carps: the catla (Catla catla), the rohu (Labeo rohita), the mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala), and the kalbasu (Labeo calbasu). The review includes information on spawning behaviour and breeding under natural and culture conditions, distribution, genetic characterization, status of genetic resources, conservation efforts, and hybridization among Indian major carps and with othe r cyprinids. Research on genetic improvement through selective breeding, chromosome-set manipulation and genetic engineering in India is reviewed. The status of Indian major carps in Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam and India work on cryopreservation and genebanking is also discussed.