Note (September 2026): This article has been updated. Kohinoor basmati is no longer a McCormick brand in India (AWL Agri Business bought it in May 2022), and Fortune is a brand of AWL Agri Business, incorporated in 1999, not a separate “Fortune Foods Ltd” founded in 1993.
The best-known basmati rice brands in India are Daawat (LT Foods), India Gate (KRBL), Kohinoor and Fortune (both AWL Agri Business) and Lal Qilla (Amar Singh Chawal Wala). For biryani, choose an aged, extra-long-grain line from any of them; for everyday meals, the cheaper “Rozana” or “Everyday” lines are usually enough.
Key Takeaways
- Daawat, India Gate, Kohinoor, Fortune and Lal Qilla are the large national brands on this list; Aeroplane, Hanuman, Amira, Sungold and Dosti are smaller or export-focused.
- Kohinoor changed hands: AWL Agri Business (formerly Adani Wilmar) bought the brand for India from McCormick in May 2022.
- Since 1 August 2023, FSSAI rules say basmati must have its natural fragrance and be free from artificial colouring, polishing agents and artificial fragrances.
- For biryani, look for extra-long, aged grains; makers such as Daawat and Fortune sell dedicated biryani lines.
- Prices change often; as of September 2026, Daawat’s own site listed Rozana Super at an MRP of Rs 85 per 1 kg pack.
Rice is a staple Indian food. In many parts of the country, people have it every single day. Rich in vitamins and minerals, rice comes in different varieties. The best among these is basmati rice. Basmati rice is famous because of its superior quality as well as rich taste.
It is apt for the preparation of biryani as well as Chinese fried rice. Its long and thin grains differentiate it from other types of rice. Several brands in India sell basmati rice. However, only few among them offer high quality basmati.
Top 10 Basmati Rice Brands In India
Here is a look at the top 10 best basmati rice brands in India.
Daawat Basmati Rice
Daawat Basmati Rice is a product of LT Foods. It is extremely popular in India. It makes for a perfect choice for biryani which is one of the most popular cuisines here. The brand offers a wide range of rice.
As of September 2026, the Daawat website groups its basmati into a Specialist range (Biryani, Traditional, Super and Pulav), an Everyday range (Tibar, Dubar, Rozana Gold, Rozana Super and Devaaya), a Value range (Rozana, Rozana Mini, Rozana Tini and Rozana Niki) and a Health range that includes Brown Basmati. The older Select and Heritage names are not in the current list. Daawat Basmati is available in various other parts of the world too. It is equally popular abroad.
You can prepare the finest quality biryani using Daawat basmati rice. It is non sticky and smooth. Popular restaurants around the world use Daawat basmati for different rice preparations.
Lal Qilla
Lal Qilla is another favourite basmati rice brand in India. Lal Qilla is made by Amar Singh Chawal Wala (ASCW). According to the company’s own history page, it began as a wholesale grain shop in Amritsar in the early 1900s, started selling branded basmati under the Lal Qilla name in the 1950s and began exporting in 1986. The company’s owner, late Amar Singh aimed to acquaint the world with the exquisite taste of our home grown rice. Lal Qilla rice became popular among Indians almost immediately.
The company also exports it to various other parts of the world. The demand for this basmati brand is quite high in the international market. It serves as perfect choice for preparation of different kinds of Indian, Chinese as well as Mughlai rice cuisines.
Kohinoor
Kohinoor basmati rice gives a tough competition to Daawat as well as Lal Qilla Basmati Rice. It has a strong aroma and delicious taste. In India, Kohinoor has been owned by AWL Agri Business Limited (formerly Adani Wilmar Limited) since May 2022, when it bought the brand, along with Charminar and Trophy, from McCormick; before that it was a McCormick brand. It has been selling high quality basmati rice since more than four decades. Kohinoor offers different varieties of basmati rice. The Platinum, Silver and Gold names below are older labels; as of September 2026, the brand’s Indian website lists Classic Gold, Traditional Authentic, Royale Pulao, Feast Rozana, Super Value and Brown basmati.
This includes Platinum – the authentic traditional variety, Silver – new generation super basmati rice and Gold – extra long basmati rice.
India Gate Basmati Rice
India Gate is yet another brand that offers high quality basmati rice in India. Basmati rice from this brand are quite popular among Indians. These are used in several Indian households. The superior quality basmati is also exported to various parts of the world.
KRBL Limited, the company behind India Gate, markets the rice as naturally aged to enhance its taste and flavour, although its website does not state one fixed ageing period for every variant. As of September 2026, the India Gate website lists basmati variants including Classic, Super, Tibar, Dubar, Everyday and Rozzana.
Aeroplane Basmati Rice
Aeroplane basmati rice is the flagship brand of Amir Chand Jagdish Kumar (Exports) Limited, a Delhi-based company established in 2003 that says it exports to 37 countries. The manufacturing of this rice is done in the most professional way using the latest machinery and tools. The company offers wide variety of basmati rice. This includes Wah Basmati, Super Basmati, 1121 Basmati.
World Cup Basmati and White Basmati Punjabi. Classic Basmati, Eternity Basmati, Long Grain Basmati, Metro Basmati, Brown Basmati and Apple Basmati are also available from the brand.
It also offers Season Basmati, Sella Basmati, Palm Tree Basmati, Sophia Basmati, Xatuba Basmati and Ali Baba Basmati. In addition to the wide variety, the rice is available at a reasonable rate.
Hanuman Basmati Rice
Though not as famous as the brands above, this one is also high in quality. Business-directory listings place Hanuman Rice Mills in Taraori, Karnal district, Haryana; its founding year could not be independently verified.
It is particularly popular in Haryana, Punjab and other Northern states. The company also exports it to various other countries. The rice is reportedly used for biryani in Gulf markets such as Saudi Arabia and Dubai.
Several varieties of Hanuman basmati rice are available in the market. These include parmal rice, sharbati rice, broken rice, long grain rice and PR14 rice. The long grain rice by the brand is popular because of its aromatic flavour. Moreover, it is available at a reasonable price.
Amira Basmati Rice
Amira basmati rice is sold by Amira Nature Foods, a company founded in 1915 as Nav Bharat and now headquartered in Dubai; it has sold rice under the Amira brand since 2008. The tasteful and aromatic basmati rice is in high demand in India. In addition to offering superior quality long grain rice in the country, Amira exports it in various other parts of the world too.
They age the rice for at least one year before processing it in their high tech machinery. The nutritional value of the rice is kept intact even as the professionals at Amira polish and refine it.
Sungold
This is one of the new entrants in the market. Sungold Trade Pvt Ltd began manufacturing this high quality rice in 2009. The brand has been doing well ever since its inception.
Looking at the overwhelming response in the domestic market, the brand began selling it in the international market too. Sungold Trade exports the basmati rice to various countries. Modern techniques and tools help professionals at this company cultivate and process rice.
Dosti Basmati Rice
Dosti basmati rice is pure and tasteful. It is available in various varieties including Dosti Regular basmati rice, Dosti Classic and Dosti Pride to name a few. It is rich in minerals and various other micro nutrients.
The professionals working for the company make sure the nutritional value of the rice remains intact. This is despite the fact that it goes through rigorous processing and refining. It adds a unique flavour to the rice preparations.
Fortune Basmati Rice
Fortune is a brand of AWL Agri Business Limited (formerly Adani Wilmar Limited), which was incorporated in 1999 as a joint venture between Adani Enterprises and Singapore-based Wilmar International. The Adani Group sold its stake during 2025, leaving Wilmar as the controlling shareholder. It is known for offering various food items that are high in quality yet light on pocket. Basmati rice from this brand is also popular owing to this very reason. The company uses new age processing technology to manufacture and process basmati rice. As of September 2026, the Fortune website lists three basmati variants: Biryani Special, Rozana and Everyday. The Biryani Classic pack pictured below is not on that list.
The long grain basmati available here are flavourful, tasteful as well as nutritious. Many households in India bring home Fortune basmati rice to prepare delicious rice cuisines.
Biryani is one of my favourite cuisines. And it tastes good only when high quality rice is used to cook it. The basmati brands above make it tasteful and render a distinct aroma to it.
Who Makes Each Basmati Rice Brand?
The table below shows the company behind each brand on this list and what its current basmati range looks like, based on the brands’ own websites and company records checked in September 2026.
| Brand | Company | Verified background | Current basmati lines (September 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daawat | LT Foods Limited | Corporate office in Gurgaon, Haryana | Biryani, Traditional, Super, Pulav, Rozana family, Brown |
| Lal Qilla | Amar Singh Chawal Wala | Started in Amritsar in the early 1900s; Lal Qilla brand from the 1950s | Basmati, Brown and Healthy rice |
| Kohinoor | AWL Agri Business (in India, since May 2022) | Bought from McCormick in 2022 | Classic Gold, Traditional Authentic, Royale Pulao, Feast Rozana, Super Value, Brown |
| India Gate | KRBL Limited | KRBL founded in 1889; India Gate launched in 1998 | Classic, Super, Tibar, Dubar, Everyday, Rozzana |
| Aeroplane | Amir Chand Jagdish Kumar (Exports) Limited | Established 2003, Alipur, Delhi | Aeroplane La Taste, Classic, Brown Rice, plus export labels |
| Hanuman | Hanuman Rice Mills | Taraori, Karnal, Haryana (directory listings only) | Not independently verified |
| Amira | Amira Nature Foods | Dubai-headquartered; delisted from the NYSE in 2020 | Availability in India not verified |
| Sungold | Sungold Trade Pvt Ltd | New Delhi, established 2009 | 1121, 1509 and 1401 basmati grades |
| Dosti | Dosti Basmati Rice | Limited public company information | Classic, Pride and other variants on retail listings |
| Fortune | AWL Agri Business | Incorporated 1999 as Adani Wilmar | Biryani Special, Rozana, Everyday |
Two ownership changes matter for shoppers. Kohinoor basmati sold in India now comes from AWL Agri Business, the same company that makes Fortune rice. Amira Nature Foods was suspended from trading on the New York Stock Exchange on 18 August 2020 and permanently removed from the exchange on 29 December 2020 after it missed financial reporting deadlines, according to Wikipedia’s company profile, so check that Amira packs are on sale near you before planning around the brand.
What Makes Rice “Basmati” in India?
Basmati is a long, slender-grained aromatic rice that originates from the Indian subcontinent. Its name is usually traced to Sanskrit roots meaning “fragrance” and “ingrained”. The aroma comes mainly from a compound called 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline.
The FSSAI basmati standard
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) notified the country’s first identity standards for basmati rice on 12 January 2023, and they have been enforced since 1 August 2023. The rules cover brown basmati, milled basmati, parboiled brown basmati and milled parboiled basmati rice.
- Basmati must have the natural fragrance of basmati rice.
- It must be free from artificial colouring, polishing agents and artificial fragrances.
- The standard sets limits for grain size, elongation after cooking, moisture, amylose, uric acid, damaged grains and the presence of non-basmati rice.
Grain size and geographical indication
According to India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), a rice variety qualifies as basmati only if its average milled grain length before cooking is at least 6.61 mm and its average breadth is up to 2 mm, among other parameters. APEDA registered basmati as a Geographical Indication (GI) product on 15 February 2016. Basmati grown in specified areas of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, western Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir can be labelled basmati in India.
How to Choose Basmati Rice for Biryani
The best basmati rice for biryani is an aged, extra-long-grain variety that stays separate after cooking. Use these checks when comparing packs:
- Pick the right line, not just the brand. Most large brands sell a premium biryani line and cheaper daily-use lines. Daawat, for example, separates its Specialist range (Biryani, Traditional) from its Rozana value packs.
- Compare cooked grain length. Daawat states that its Biryani basmati elongates up to 24 mm when cooked, its Super up to 20 mm and its Pulav up to 18 mm. These are the maker’s own claims.
- Look for ageing. Makers say ageing improves flavour and texture. Daawat says its Biryani rice is aged for up to 2 years, and Kohinoor says its Traditional Authentic is aged for 2 years before packing.
- Read the label. The pack should say basmati, carry an FSSAI licence number and show the packing date.
- Match the dish. Fortune describes Biryani Special as suited to Hyderabadi and Lucknowi biryanis, while its Rozana and Everyday packs are aimed at daily meals.
Good biryani also depends on the spices and fat you use. See our guides to the best garam masala and spice brands in India and the best cooking oil brands in India.
How Much Does Basmati Rice Cost in India?
Basmati prices in India vary by brand, grain length, ageing and pack size, and they change with each crop season. As of September 2026, Daawat’s official website listed Rozana Super basmati at an MRP of Rs 85 for a 1 kg pack, inclusive of all taxes. Premium biryani lines sit in each brand’s higher-priced specialist range. Prices change, so check the MRP printed on the pack or the seller’s current listing before buying.
How to Cook Basmati Rice So It Keeps Its Aroma
Soaking basmati rice for about 30 minutes before cooking cuts cooking time by around 20% and preserves more of the aroma compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, which otherwise decreases during cooking. For biryani, the long grains should stay separate, so avoid overcooking the rice before layering.
Is Basmati Rice Healthier Than Other White Rice?
Basmati rice has a medium glycemic index. According to the Canadian Diabetes Association, as cited on Wikipedia, basmati, brown, wild, short-grain and long-grain rice fall in the medium range (56 to 69), compared with 89 for jasmine and instant white rice. Brown basmati, sold by brands such as Daawat and Kohinoor, keeps the bran layer. People managing diabetes should follow advice from their own doctor or dietitian; our Indian vegetarian diet plan for diabetes covers general meal planning.
India’s Basmati Exports at a Glance
India is the world’s largest basmati supplier. According to APEDA and DGCIS data, India exported about 60.65 lakh metric tonnes of basmati rice worth Rs 50,312 crore (about $5.87 billion) in 2024-25, up from 52.42 lakh tonnes in 2023-24. The rice went to 154 countries, and Saudi Arabia was the largest buyer at about 11.73 lakh tonnes. Many of the brands on this list, including India Gate, Daawat, Lal Qilla and Aeroplane, sell in both India and export markets.
If you are stocking an Indian pantry, you may also like our list of the most popular coffee brands in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which basmati rice brand is best for biryani?
No single brand is best for everyone; the biryani-specific line matters more than the brand name. Daawat Biryani (which Daawat says elongates up to 24 mm when cooked) and Fortune Biryani Special are both sold as dedicated biryani rice, and India Gate, Kohinoor and Lal Qilla also sell premium long-grain basmati.
Who owns Kohinoor basmati rice now?
In India, Kohinoor basmati rice is owned by AWL Agri Business Limited, formerly Adani Wilmar Limited. The company bought the Kohinoor brand, along with Charminar and Trophy, from McCormick in May 2022.
Which company makes India Gate basmati rice?
India Gate basmati rice is made by KRBL Limited, a rice processing and exporting company founded in 1889. KRBL launched the India Gate brand in the Indian market in 1998.
Is Fortune basmati rice still an Adani product?
No. Fortune is a brand of AWL Agri Business Limited, which was renamed from Adani Wilmar Limited in 2025. The Adani Group sold its stake in the company during 2025, and Singapore-based Wilmar International is now the controlling shareholder.
What grain length must basmati rice have?
According to APEDA, basmati must have an average milled grain length of at least 6.61 mm and an average breadth of up to 2 mm before cooking. FSSAI’s basmati standard, enforced since 1 August 2023, also sets limits for elongation after cooking.
Is aged basmati rice better?
Rice makers say ageing gives basmati a deeper flavour, finer texture and better elongation, which is why most premium biryani lines are sold as aged. These are the brands’ own claims, and ageing periods differ by product.
