With the establishment of the Division of Genetics and Plant Breeding in 1978 systematic efforts were initiated on genetic improvement of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) as its core mandate activity. In fulfilling the core mandate and aspired objectives, significant strides have been made in the development of improved varieties in all the major Medicinal and Aromatic plants (150 improved varieties in 48 MAPs species) and elucidation of genetic and cytogenetic principles for better understanding of the genetics of target plants leading to publication of over 400 research publications. The focus of the current scientific activities is centred along the following lines of investigation: Application of recombination, Cloline, Mutation, polyploidy and Molecular Approaches for Qualitative and Quantitative Breeding of MAPs. Utilization of Biometrical, Population and Association Genetics to realize Genetic Improvement of MAPs. General and Molecular Cytogenetics, DNA marker resources and Molecular phylogenetics.