Indian subcontinent is one of the megacentres of crop origin and diversity, as it presents a wide spectrum of ecoclimate ranging from humid tropical to semi-arid and temperate to alpine. The Indian gene centre possesses a rich genetic diversity in native grasses and legumes. There are reports of 245 genera and 1256 species of Gramineae, of which about 21 genera and 139 species are endemic. One-third of Indian grasses are considered to have fodder value. Similarly, out of about 400 species of 60 genera of Leguminosae, 21 genera are reported to be useful as forage. The main centres of genetic diversity of forage species in India are peninsular India (for tropical types) and North Eastern Region (for subtropical types) besides some micro-centres for certain species. Major forage genera exhibiting diversity include legumes like Desmodium, Lablab, Vigna, Macroptilium, Centrosema, etc.; grasses like Bothriochloa, Dichanthium, Cynodon, Panicum, Pennisetum, Cenchrus, Lasiurus, etc.; and browse plants such as Leucaena, Sesbania, Albizia, Bauhinia, Cassia, Grewia, etc. These genera, besides many others, form an integral part of feed and fodder resources of the country. The variability collected through exploration trips and correspondence with national and international institutes has been utilized to develop superior varieties through direct selection or through utilization in hybridization programmes. Wild species generally are more variable than the corresponding crop and are sources of resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Indian Council of Agricultural Research—National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resource (ICAR–NBPGR) has been instrumental in introducing 986 new forage crops and wild species of cultivated forage crops in India. In total, 7427 accessions comprising forage cereals (1715), grasses (3244), range legumes (1927), forage millets (458) and others (83) have been conserved at NBPGR in long-term storage in the National Gene Bank. The germplasm comprised of 14 species of forage cereals, 173 species of grasses, 70 species of range legumes, 13 species of forage millets and 28 other species. These include released varieties and trait-specific germplasm developed under AICRP ( All India Co-ordinated Research Project ) and by other crop-based institutes.