Genetic divergence of fifty one breeding lines/cultivars of rice was studied for fourteen physico-chemical quality characteristics of different duration groups viz., early, mid-early, medium, long duration.. The genotypes were grouped into thirteen clusters of which cluster III with seventeen varieties was the largest. The genetic diversity observed was not related to duration of groups and genotypes of same duration group were distributed in different clusters. Cluster VII and XII were identified as genetically most divergent which include the varieties and hybrids viz., MDU 5, TNRH 50 and PM 0200022. High inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster XII and other clusters. Since the cluster XII include a drought tolerant culture PM 0200022 and high inter cluster distance with other clusters, it could be utilized for developing drought tolerant varieties. Highest mean values for hulling, milling, kernel length, length/breadth ratio, kernel length after cooking, intermediate gelatinization temperature and intermediate amylose content with soft gel consistency were recorded in cluster IV. Considering the cluster distances and means, the present investigation revealed that due emphasis should be given on the members of cluster III comprising of medium duration cultures viz., AS 00044, AD 99218,CB 99019, CB 20090, CB 20035, AD 00194, Improved White Ponni, ADT (R) 46, ADT 38, long duration genotypes viz., TP 1038, KR 99001, CR 1009, Swarna, ADT 44, semidry group cultures viz., PM 01011, PM 01010, quality culture TP1028 for selection of parents for hybridization program which could result in varieties with good physicochemical quality traits in rice.