India's evolutionary past tied to huge migration 50,000 years ago and to now-extinct human relatives

Close-up image of a group of four Indian children (with the face of another more blurred behind them) who are smiling at the camera. The sun in shining on their faces.

Researchers have gleaned new insights into India's evolutionary history after conducting the largest genome study of its kind.

Scientists analyzed more than 2,700 modern Indian genomes from 17 states, including DNA from individuals from most geographic regions, speakers of all major languages, tribal and caste groups.