Air pollution is a significant challenge in India, with anthropogenic biomass burning (ABB) being one of the major and least understood sources. ABB, including cooking and heating with solid fuels, waste burning, crop residue burning (CRB), and forest fires, contributes to poor air quality, reduced visibility, and adverse health effects. CRB in the Indo-Gangetic plain (IGP) during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, as well as CRB in South India during January-February, are prominent sources. ABB events in the IGP can lead to severe air quality issues, with PM2.5 concentrations up to 15 times higher than standards. BB emissions contain various particulates and gases, including carbonaceous particles, inorganic ions, and trace gases, which impact atmospheric chemistry, climate processes, and human health. The review highlights the need for region-specific solutions through airshed-based management to address the complex spatio-temporal dynamics of ABB in India.Air pollution is a significant challenge in India, with anthropogenic biomass burning (ABB) being one of the major and least understood sources. ABB, including cooking and heating with solid fuels, waste burning, crop residue burning (CRB), and forest fires, contributes to poor air quality, reduced visibility, and adverse health effects. CRB in the Indo-Gangetic plain (IGP) during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, as well as CRB in South India during January-February, are prominent sources. ABB events in the IGP can lead to severe air quality issues, with PM2.5 concentrations up to 15 times higher than standards. BB emissions contain various particulates and gases, including carbonaceous particles, inorganic ions, and trace gases, which impact atmospheric chemistry, climate processes, and human health. The review highlights the need for region-specific solutions through airshed-based management to address the complex spatio-temporal dynamics of ABB in India.