Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a non-autoimmune, complex, heterogeneous and polygenic metabolic disease condition characterized by persistent elevated blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia). India as said to be the diabetic capital of the world is likely to experience the largest increase in T2DM and a greater number of diabetic individuals in the world by the year 2030. Identification of specific genetic variations in a particular ethnic group has a critical role in understanding the risk of developing T2DM in a much efficient way in future. These genetic variations include numerous types of polymorphisms among which single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is the most frequent. SNPs are basically located within the regulatory elements of several gene sequences. There are scores of genes interacting with various environmental factors affecting various pathways and sometimes even the whole signalling network that cause diseases like T2DM. This review discusses the biomarkers for early risk prediction of T2DM. Such predictions could be used in order to understand the pathogenesis of T2DM and to better diagnostics, treatment, and eventually prevention.