The present invention discloses mutations in the genes encoding starch synthases and also in starch branching enzymes associated with enhanced dietary fibre and resistant starch levels in the endosperm of a suitable variety of rice. The dietary fiber and resistant starch are enhanced to an extent to significantly reduce the hydrolysis index values of the rice grains to 35%-40%. These rice varieties are in great demand for diabetic population and provide a number of other health benefits such as reduced body weight gain, cardiac health and colon health. As this strategy does not involve the use of genetic manipulation technologies, it can be directly employed in the rice breeding programmers without any restrictions.
