Genetic Polymorphism of Eleven STR Loci in Rajput Population of Delhi, India

Short Tandem Repeat (STR) markers are best choice for the genetic structure assessment of a population due to codominant inheritance, high polymorphism, mutation rate and ease of use [1,2]. Polymorphic STR loci have become useful tool for DNA analysis and typing for human identification and paternity testing for forensic purposes in most of the forensic laboratories in the world [3,4]. Determination of the allele frequencies and distribution of genotype are prerequisites for DNA typing of any popu lation. India is a rich country in ethnic, cultural and linguistic variant groups. Human diversity in India is defined by 4693 different and documented population groups that include 2205 major communities, 589 segments and 1900 territorial units spread across the country. Like most other Indians, Rajput is endogamous population [5]. The Rajput clans emerged as a dominant community in northern, central, western India and current eastern Pakistan in the colonial period. They seem to have risen to prominence from the late 6th century C.E. and governed the majority of princely states in Rajasthan and Surashtra. The Rajput population and the former Rajput states are found spread through much of the subcontinent, particularly in north, west and central India. Rajput populations are found in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Jammu, Punjab, Sindh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. The state of Delhi comprises about 3.8% of the Rajput population [6]. A very few number of genetic studies have been carried out on Rajput population [7,8]. However, there is no published data on the allele frequency of STR loci in Rajput population of Delhi, India. Therefore, the present data would be used in the forensics and individual identification for this population group and this genetic data would enrich the genetic informational resource.