CCMB study finds ultra-rare gene behind red hair in Indians

A CCMB study has identified a rare indigenous genetic variant responsible for red hair among Indians, debunking links to European ancestry. The research highlights unique pigmentation traits, especially among Ladakh’s Bodh population, reinforcing India’s rich genetic diversity.

Hyderabad: Although it is quite rare, you might have come across a few Indians whose hair is naturally red and thought it could be a genetic anomaly or that such individuals might have ancestry linked to Europe. This is quite natural, since red hair among individuals is common in the West.

However, it turns out that pure red hair among Indians, which is a rarity in itself, is not because of any European gene but a result of a unique and ‘ultra-rare’ gene that is home-grown in India.

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Researchers from Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) recently identified this genetic secret by sequencing the DNA of an Indian child who had vivid red hair and eyebrows.

The CCMB researchers, led by Dr Kumaraswamy Thangaraj, discovered a specific mutation in the MC1R gene, which is the master switch that controls pigment. Interestingly, this variant was found to be unique to Indian populations and not related to European ancestry.

The unique study on red hair among Indians and the ultra-rare gene was published in the prestigious Human Genetics and Genomics Advances (HGG), (April, 2026), an open-access journal of American Society of Human Genetics.

The genetic study of CCMB said that hair colour was true red and not reddish-brown or wheatish shades, often caused by too much exposure to sun or a deficiency in nutrition. In these cases, the body simply did not produce the dark pigment of the hair.

By screening over 11,000 individuals, scientists found that these genetic markers of red hair are particularly significant in the Bodh population of Ladakh.

In this high-altitude region, a specific variant is associated with much lighter skin, making individuals an average of 8.46 melanin units lighter than those without it. The CCMB discovery indicates that India’s diverse skin complexions and hair colours aren’t a Western export, but a unique signature written in local DNA.