List of 50 Pulses in India with Name and Pictures 2024
Pulses are edible seeds of plants in the legume family that grow in pods and come in various shapes, sizes and colours. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO) recognises 11 types of pulses: dry beans, dry peas, dry broad beans, lentils, chickpeas, cowpeas, Bambara beans, pigeon peas, vetches, lupins and pulses. In India, pulses are an important source of protein for the largely vegetarian population.
What are pulses and their role?
The term “pulses” is limited to crops harvested solely for dry grain. The first evidence of pulses came 11000 years ago from the Fertile, a Middle Eastern region. They are among the most extensively used foods in the world as they can be grown in different climatic and soil conditions and they are important both economically and nutritionally. With protein and fibre, pulses are a source of vitamins and minerals, such as iron, zinc, folate, and magnesium. Pulses have phytochemicals, saponins, and tannins that possess antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic effects. It has anti-cancerous properties and is good for cardiovascular health, blood pressure, platelet activity, and inflammation. Pulses are high in fibre and have a low glycemic index, making them particularly beneficial for maintaining healthy blood glucose and insulin levels.
List of 50 Pulses in India with Name and Pictures
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Pulse |
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Pulse |
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Black gram |
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Kidney Beans |
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Horse gram |
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Chickpea/ Garbanzo beans |
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Moth Beans |
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Black-eyed peas |
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Yellow split Pigeon peas |
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Split chickpeas |
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Pinto beans |
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Red lentils |
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Black chickpeas |
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Navy Beans |
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Yellow Lentils |
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Soybeans |
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Adzuki beans |
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Field Beans |
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Yellow peas |
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Sword bean |
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Mung beans |
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Green peas |
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Cowpeas |
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Scarlet runner beans |
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Yellow eye beans |
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Red cowpeas |
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White kidney beans |
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French green lentils |
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Groundnut |
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Edamame |
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Cranberry beans |
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Lima beans |
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Split peas |
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Marrowfat beans |
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Quinoa |
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Tricolour quinoa |
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Split black gram |
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Green Field beans |
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Bambara beans |
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Green chickpeas |
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Roasted split gram |
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Roasted gram whole |
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White lentil |
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Green lentils |
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Yellow lentils |
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Brown lentils |
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Velvet beans |
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Jack beans |
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Vetch |
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Lablab |
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Winged Bean |
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Puy Lentils |
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More on pulses
Not all the pulses mentioned above are for human consumption. Lablab and vetch, for instance, are grown as fodder for livestock animals. Further, all these pulses are not of Indian origin. For instance, kidney beans were brought to India from South America, though they are the staple diet for many of the people from North India. Beans such as edamame, are specialty beans that are imported and not commonly available. Many pulses and beans are cultivated for their oil or use in cosmetics or the pharmaceutical industry.
Some of the mentioned pulses such as lentils and Bengal grams are in various forms. They may be cooked as whole grains or split grains. Some are hard with the skin and for others, the skin is removed.
Significance of pulses in India
India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses in India. The top pulse-producing states of India are Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka. Growing pulses is a sustainable agricultural practice as it improves soil biodiversity and intercropping. Pulses are a low-carbon future food and to fulfil the needs of the growing population, 39 million tonnes of pulses are needed by 2050. Among all pulses chickpea is the major pulse and ranks first in terms of area, production and productivity at the national level. The country’s primary pulses among Kharif crops are - pigeon pea/red gram, Black gram, green gram, Moth, and Horse gram. Tur/ arhar has the lion’s share of area (36%) and production (48%) followed by Urad bean and Mung bean. The main Rabi pulse crops are chickpeas, lentils, Field peas, Urad, Mung, kidney beans etc.
With the growing trend of adoption of vegan and vegetarian diets globally, the demand for Indian pulses continues to grow. The government is offering a push to farmers so that they can get healthy crops and security against unexpected weather conditions.
Types of Pulses and Legumes
Certainly! Here's a brief description of each pulse listed:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Pulses are edible seeds of plants in the legume family that grow in pods. They are rich in protein, fibre, vitamins (such as folate), and minerals (including iron and zinc). Pulses are especially important for India's largely vegetarian population, providing essential nutrients and supporting overall health.
Some commonly consumed pulses in India include:
- Black gram
- Kidney beans
- Chickpea (Garbanzo beans)
- Moth beans
- Black-eyed peas
- Yellow split pigeon peas (Toor dal)
- Red lentils (Masoor dal)
- Mung beans (Green gram)
- Cowpeas (Lobia)
- Green peas
India is the world's largest producer and consumer of pulses. Pulses play a vital role in sustainable agriculture by improving soil biodiversity, supporting intercropping systems, and contributing to food security and nutritional diversity across the country.
Pulses are used in various forms in Indian cuisine, including:
- Whole pulses, cooked as dal (lentil soup) or added to curries.
- Split pulses, used to prepare dals and other traditional dishes.
- Sprouted pulses, eaten raw in salads or cooked in stir-fries.
The leading pulse-producing states in India are Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka. These states have favourable agro-climatic conditions that support large-scale pulse cultivation.
No. Not all pulses commonly consumed in India originated there. For example, kidney beans were introduced from South America but have become an integral part of Indian agriculture and cuisine over time.
Pulses have a low carbon footprint and play an important role in sustainable food systems. They require less water than many other protein sources and naturally improve soil fertility when included in crop rotation practices.
Demand for Indian pulses is expected to grow due to the increasing popularity of vegetarian and vegan diets worldwide. Government initiatives to support farmers and enhance pulse production are also expected to strengthen food security and economic stability.
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