The prevalence of islet antibody positive type 2 diabetes (T2DM), also known as latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), varies widely among different populations, and even among Caucasians. In previous studies the prevalence of LADA in Indians has been noted to differ widely. We studied the prevalence of antibodies against GAD and IA2 in large population of clinic and community based T2DM. Three hundred and seventy eight adult patients from the diabetes clinic, 240 subjects diagnosed as T2DM during a community survey and 192 controls were studied for GAD antibodies. IA2 antibodies were measured in a proportion of patients/controls (T2DM clinic=140, T2DM community=180; controls=160). GAD and IA2 antibodies were measured by immunoprecipitation of 35S labeled recombinant antigen. GAD antibodies were present in 1.5% T2DM patients (0.8% clinic, 2.5% community T2DM) and 1% controls (p=0.19). IA2 antibodies were present in 1.2 % T2DM and 1.3% controls. Among subjects in whom both antibodies were tested, either GAD or IA2 antibody was present in 2.8% T2DM subjects and 2.5% controls; both antibodies were not found in any patient. The clinical features (age at onset, BMI, waist circumference, insulin requirement) were similar in patients with and without GAD or IA2 antibodies. Conclusion: In a large clinic and community based study the prevalence of GAD and IA2 antibodies in adult T2DM were lower than that reported from other Caucasian populations.