An integrated framework for drought stress in plants is presented, summarizing current research on plant drought resistance to aid in improving drought tolerance through genetic engineering. Drought stress causes cellular dehydration, leading to osmotic and oxidative stress, which damages plant cells by disrupting membrane integrity, reducing photosynthetic efficiency, and increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS). Plants respond to drought by synthesizing osmotic regulatory substances like mannitol, sorbitol, soluble sugars, polyamines, proline, and glycine betaine, which help maintain cell turgor and protect cellular structures. These substances reduce water loss, stabilize membranes, and enhance antioxidant defenses. Transcription factors such as NAC, WRKY, bZIP, DREB, and MYB play critical roles in drought resistance by regulating gene expression, stomatal closure, and antioxidant enzyme activity. These factors modulate ABA signaling, which is essential for stomatal regulation and stress responses. ROS, produced under drought conditions, can cause cellular damage, but plants detoxify them through antioxidant systems involving enzymes like SOD, CAT, APX, and non-enzymatic compounds like ascorbate, glutathione, and carotenoids. Phytohormones such as ABA, JA, SA, and ET regulate drought responses by modulating stomatal closure, ROS scavenging, and stress tolerance. ABA is central to drought signaling, promoting stomatal closure and activating stress-responsive genes. JA and SA enhance antioxidant activity and stress tolerance, while ET regulates wax synthesis and membrane stability. Cytokinins also influence drought responses by affecting cell division and signaling pathways. Small RNAs (sRNAs), including miRNAs, regulate gene expression in response to drought stress, influencing stress tolerance and adaptation. These sRNAs help modulate the expression of target genes, contributing to plant resilience. Overall, the integrated framework highlights the complex interactions among osmotic regulation, transcription factors, phytohormones, and sRNAs in enhancing plant drought resistance.An integrated framework for drought stress in plants is presented, summarizing current research on plant drought resistance to aid in improving drought tolerance through genetic engineering. Drought stress causes cellular dehydration, leading to osmotic and oxidative stress, which damages plant cells by disrupting membrane integrity, reducing photosynthetic efficiency, and increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS). Plants respond to drought by synthesizing osmotic regulatory substances like mannitol, sorbitol, soluble sugars, polyamines, proline, and glycine betaine, which help maintain cell turgor and protect cellular structures. These substances reduce water loss, stabilize membranes, and enhance antioxidant defenses. Transcription factors such as NAC, WRKY, bZIP, DREB, and MYB play critical roles in drought resistance by regulating gene expression, stomatal closure, and antioxidant enzyme activity. These factors modulate ABA signaling, which is essential for stomatal regulation and stress responses. ROS, produced under drought conditions, can cause cellular damage, but plants detoxify them through antioxidant systems involving enzymes like SOD, CAT, APX, and non-enzymatic compounds like ascorbate, glutathione, and carotenoids. Phytohormones such as ABA, JA, SA, and ET regulate drought responses by modulating stomatal closure, ROS scavenging, and stress tolerance. ABA is central to drought signaling, promoting stomatal closure and activating stress-responsive genes. JA and SA enhance antioxidant activity and stress tolerance, while ET regulates wax synthesis and membrane stability. Cytokinins also influence drought responses by affecting cell division and signaling pathways. Small RNAs (sRNAs), including miRNAs, regulate gene expression in response to drought stress, influencing stress tolerance and adaptation. These sRNAs help modulate the expression of target genes, contributing to plant resilience. Overall, the integrated framework highlights the complex interactions among osmotic regulation, transcription factors, phytohormones, and sRNAs in enhancing plant drought resistance.