The genetic modification approach in rice can successfully address both biotic and abiotic stresses through minimization of yield losses; can also enhance the nutritional status of the rice grain thus ensuring both food and nutritional security. As indica rice genotypes are known to vary in their response to culture, production of embryogenic callus having high regeneration potential is a pre requisite for achieving high transformation rates in indica genotypes. The present study is an assessment of the response of new and popular rice genotypes that include both aromatic and non aromatic rice. Results suggest that though significant genotypic differences exist for both callus induction and regeneration, new genotypes like Tapaswini and Satya Krishna were identified that can be used for transformation studies in indica rice as they match the Pusa Basmati 1, the most frequently used genotype for rice transformation, in their in vitro response.