Landscape of Pulses Production in India: Types & Major States

Table of Contents

• Pulses Production in India
• What are the Main Types of Pulses grown in India?
  • Gram
  • Toor
  • Moong
  • Lentils
• Which are the Top Pulses Producing States in India?
• Government Initiatives to Promote Pulses Production in India

Pulses Production in India

Pulses are the seeds from the legume family. They come in different shapes, sizes, and colours. Pulses are grown in all seasons: Kharif, Rabi, and Summer. India is the biggest producer as well as consumer of pulses in the world. The total production of pulses in 2024-25 was 256.83 lakh tonnes. Madhya Pradesh is noted to be the largest producer of pulses in India. The protein content in pulses (20-25% by weight) is three times the protein found in rice and double that of wheat. This is why they are an integral part of the diet for the Indian population. In terms of export, around 7,93,291 MT of pulses were exported from India in 2024-25. The major export destinations include Sri Lanka, the USA, the UAE, China, and Bangladesh.

What are the Main Types of Pulses grown in India?

India grows a diverse range of pulses, which are a crucial part of Indian cuisine and nutrition. Below are the major types of pulses cultivated in India:

Gram

Botanical name: Cicer arietinum

Gram Dal (Chana dal/Bengal Gram) is a split and hulled version of chickpeas. It is a staple lentil in Indian kitchens and popular due to its nutty flavor, affordability, and rich nutrition. Gram dal is packed with protein, fiber, and essential minerals like iron and folate, which help support energy, digestion, and heart health. Chana dal is used in many Indian dishes, from dal tadka to sweet halwa, crispy vadas, and savory pancake. It is mainly cultivated in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh. Popular varieties include Gram 1137, PBG 7, Aadhar (RSG-963), and Anubhav (RSG 888).

Toor

Botanical name: Cajanus Cajan

Toor dal, is another popular lentil, also known as Arhar dal. It is a staple in many Indian meals for dishes like classic dal fry and South Indian Sambhar. It carries a mild, earthy flavour and smooth texture when cooked. This dal is considered rich in plant protein, potassium, iron, and vitamin B. It is a daily source of nutrition in millions of Indian kitchens. Toor dal is grown widely in the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh. India grows numerous Toor dal varieties, with some prominent ones including Arhar 1 (ARH-1), Arhar 2 (ARH-2), and Arhar 3 (ARH-3), Pant Arhar 6 (PA 421), and Phule Damayanti (Phule Tur-0723-1-2-3). Toor production was 36.24 lakh tonnes in 2024-25.

Moong

Botanical name: Vigna Radiata

Moong dal is the split and husked form of mung beans. It is considered light and easy to digest, as well as a powerhouse pulse that can be used in a variety of cuisines ranging from khichdi to moong-dal chilla. It has a delicate, mildly sweet flavour, making it the perfect solid food for babies and a must-have for anyone following a detox diet. It has high-quality protein, fiber, antioxidants, and folate, which is great for weight management as well as gut health. Popular varieties include SSL 1827, ML 2056, SML 668, and TMB 37. Major Moong dal producing states in the country are Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Bihar. In 2024-25, the moong production in India reached 42.44 lakh tonnes.  

So, these are the most popular pulse crops grown in India. Now, let’s have a look at the largest producing states of pulses in India below.

Lentils

Here are some other examples of popular lentils grown in India

Masoor Dal (Red Lentils)

Botanical Name: Lens culinaris

Masoor dal is widely used in Indian households. It is available in whole (brown) or split (red) form. It cooks quickly and is ideal for simple dals and soups. Masoor is popular in North and East India and is prominently grown in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.

Urad Dal (Black Gram)

Botanical Name: Vigna mungo

Black gram is used in both whole and split forms. Urad dal is the main ingredient in South Indian dishes like idli, dosa, and vada, as well as North Indian dal makhani. Urad is a lentil rich in Protein, calcium, and iron. It is prominently grown in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra.

Rajma (Kidney Beans)

Botanical Name: Phaseolus vulgaris

While technically a pulse and not a true "dal," Rajma is a key lentil-like legume in North Indian cuisine, especially in Rajma-Chawal. It is grown in the states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

Which are the Top Pulses Producing States in India?

Madhya Pradesh is the largest pulses producing state in India, also known as the Pulse Bowl of the country. Here are some of the highest pulses producing states in 2024-25:

Government Initiatives to Promote Pulses Production in India

The production of pulses in India has been increasing year by year. In recent years, the total pulse production has increased by 18% in India. The government of India is helping farmers promote India’s pulse production by taking several initiatives. Let’s have a look at some of the initiatives below.

• The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has launched National Food Security Mission to increase the production of pulses through area expansion and productivity enhancement.
• Under this mission, the government is providing assistance to the farmers on;
  • Cropping, seed production, and distribution of high-yielding varieties,
  • Improved farm machinery,
  • Water application tools,
  • Plant protection measures,
  • Nutrient management, processing & post-harvest equipment,
  • Cropping system-based training, etc.

• Seed mini-kits are provided free of cost to the farmers.
• 150 seed hubs have been set up under NFSM to obtain quality seeds of pulses.
• The Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for pulses have been increased in recent years to encourage farmers to grow more and more pulses.

‘Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses’ was announced in the Union Budget 2025–26 to strengthen the self-reliance of the pulses sector. This six-year initiative focuses on key pulses like lentils, black grams, and pigeonpea. With strategic interventions, the government is looking to increase the domestic pulses production and supply 48.44 MT by 2030.