Basil belongs to the family “Lamiaceae”. The essential oil of basil obtained via hydro- or steam distillation of leaves or whole aerial biomass is used for flavouring foods, preparation of dental and oral hygiene products, fragrances, social/religious rituals and traditional medicines. Methyl chavicol – one of the important constituent of essential oil of Ocimum basilicum is widely used by the aroma, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries after its conversion into trans-anethol. The new variety of O. basilicum (CIM - EOH-1, now christened as CIM-Sharada) has been developed by CSIR-CIMAP through intensive breeding efforts for improved herb and essential oil yield coupled with high methyl chavicol content (85-89%). The potential herb yield of this new variety is 280-290 q/ha and oil yield 200 kg/ha. The variety mature in a short duration of 80-90 days and hence, fits very well into crop rotation/intercropping cycle between wheat and paddy along with other vegetables crops for small and holders. It is ideally suited for rain fed cultivation. The unique leaf morphology and high survival in winter season are the two main distinctive features of this variety to satisfy DUS criteria.