Abstract: The use of the genic male sterile gene in rice is the important approach for developing new breeding method, which is significant for further increasing rice yield, enhancing rice resistance and improving rice quality. In this paper, the mechanism and classification of the genic male sterile gene in rice were stated; the methods of mapping photoperiod-sensitive genic male sterile gene, thermo-sensitive genic male sterile gene and dominant genic male sterile gene were overviewed; and the recent advances on the mapping research of these genic male sterile genes were summarized. In addition, the researches on other types of genic male sterile rice were reviewed. Finally, the problems and prospects of the application of the genic male sterile genes were proposed.