Statistical Genetics Division deals with theoretical and applied research in Statistical Genetics with special emphasis on computational aspects among the statisticians, practicing breeders, researchers, and scientists in the National Agricultural Research System. The major objective of the division is to conduct research, impart training in the field of Statistical Genetics and Bio-statistics and to provide advisory services on theory and application of these subjects with special emphasis on agriculture. To meet this objective, new theoretical developments were made from time to time and numerous methodologies for application in plant and animal breeding and related areas were developed. The Scientists of this division provide proper statistical techniques applicable in plant and animal breeding data with the support of online programs for analysis, e-learning, etc. Genotype-environment (GE) interaction and yield stability is an important area in the crop improvement programme. The division is engaged in developing various selection indices for selecting genotypes simultaneously for both yield and stability. Heritability is another important area in plant and animal breeding programme. The division has studied extensively on the precise estimation of heritability and provided some improved estimation procedures both parametric and nonparametric. Scientists are also engaged in studying various aspects of genetic parameters like repeatability, breeding value, etc.

Scientists also study the role of spatial patterns in the analysis of agricultural field experiments and developed methodology for estimating genetic trends realized over the years. Studies are also carried on yield survival relationship in dairy cattle, progeny testing for auxiliary traits, analysis of animal epidemiology, etc. Division also works on estimation of breeding value using marker data and developed appropriate software for analysis of data using such methodologies. Recently scientists of the division developed some statistical techniques for Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS). hey are also involved in developing statistical techniques and platforms for understanding complex traits and diseases in plants and animals and expressed QTL modelling.

Scientists also provide advisory and consultancy to the statistician, breeders and biometricians. They also provide a platform to establish a network among agricultural statisticians, animal and plant breeders. The Scientists of this division also involved in research related to the development of the methodology for nonparametric modelling of time-series data and its application in Agriculture. Stochastic differential equation models and their applications to agriculture is also one area of research.

History: The major contribution of Division of Statistical Genetics was started in 1940, when the Institute in its formative stages and was started working as a statistical section of ICAR. At that time, the research methodologies and the findings of this division under the visionary leadership of Professor P. V. Sukhatme, received wide accolade from various sections of ICAR including Animal and Crop Breeding researchers. This established the power of Statistics in general and Statistical Genetics in particular to draw valid inferences and conclusions on issues in animal sciences and other fields. During the 7-9th decades of twentieth century, the role of Statistical Genetics in Agricultural and Animal science research was its peak. During this period, this division contributed many statistical and applied methodologies for analyzing plant and animal breeding data, obtained from Crop and Animal Science studies across the country.