Mitochondria of the cytoplasm possess some amount of DNA. One can find out enormous amount of DNA sequence variation within and between human populations. India with vast population diversity offer us ample opportunity to examine pattern of genetic structure and variation among the populations, migration and admixture in the past as well as geographic and ethnic affiliations of the groups. In this study an attempt has been made to review the DNA studies conducted in India.

mtDNA studies indicates deep-rooted maternal lineages for both caste and tribal populations of India and support single initial origin. The present population structure might have therefore resulted from subsequent admixture and drift. It is inferred that Y-Chromosome sharing between Northeast India and South China is due to Neolithic expansion via Northeast Indian Corridor. Autosomal marker studies shows genetic distances are not correlated with geographical distance.