Black gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] is a highly nutritious legume crop mainly grown in South and Southeast Asia, with the largest area in India. It faces significant yield losses due to biotic and abiotic stresses, including pests, diseases, drought, heat, waterlogging, and salinity. Improving genetic gains through breeding is crucial for increasing on-farm yields and incorporating market-preferred traits. However, breeding programs rely on a limited number of parental lines, leading to a narrow genetic base. To accelerate genetic gains, diverse genetic material is needed to improve adaptability and stress resistance. This review summarizes the importance of black gram, major biotic and abiotic stresses, available genetic and genomic resources, key traits for improvement, their inheritance, and breeding approaches. Black gram is susceptible to various pests, including insect pests like whiteflies, aphids, thrips, and bruchids, as well as diseases such as mungbean yellow mosaic disease (MYMD) and Urdbean leaf crinkle disease (ULCD). Abiotic stresses like drought, heat, waterlogging, and salinity also impact yield. Genetic diversity in black gram is limited, and breeding programs have focused on a narrow genetic base. However, the use of wild relatives and diverse germplasm has provided valuable genetic resources for improving traits. Genetic studies have identified the inheritance patterns of various traits, including morphological, biotic, and abiotic stress resistance. Molecular markers such as SSR and ISSR have been used to assess genetic diversity and develop genetic maps. Recent advances in genomics, including next-generation sequencing and third-generation sequencing, have enabled the assembly of high-quality genomes for black gram, facilitating the identification of genes and QTLs related to important traits. These genomic resources are essential for developing climate-smart and high-yielding varieties that can meet future food demands.Black gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] is a highly nutritious legume crop mainly grown in South and Southeast Asia, with the largest area in India. It faces significant yield losses due to biotic and abiotic stresses, including pests, diseases, drought, heat, waterlogging, and salinity. Improving genetic gains through breeding is crucial for increasing on-farm yields and incorporating market-preferred traits. However, breeding programs rely on a limited number of parental lines, leading to a narrow genetic base. To accelerate genetic gains, diverse genetic material is needed to improve adaptability and stress resistance. This review summarizes the importance of black gram, major biotic and abiotic stresses, available genetic and genomic resources, key traits for improvement, their inheritance, and breeding approaches. Black gram is susceptible to various pests, including insect pests like whiteflies, aphids, thrips, and bruchids, as well as diseases such as mungbean yellow mosaic disease (MYMD) and Urdbean leaf crinkle disease (ULCD). Abiotic stresses like drought, heat, waterlogging, and salinity also impact yield. Genetic diversity in black gram is limited, and breeding programs have focused on a narrow genetic base. However, the use of wild relatives and diverse germplasm has provided valuable genetic resources for improving traits. Genetic studies have identified the inheritance patterns of various traits, including morphological, biotic, and abiotic stress resistance. Molecular markers such as SSR and ISSR have been used to assess genetic diversity and develop genetic maps. Recent advances in genomics, including next-generation sequencing and third-generation sequencing, have enabled the assembly of high-quality genomes for black gram, facilitating the identification of genes and QTLs related to important traits. These genomic resources are essential for developing climate-smart and high-yielding varieties that can meet future food demands.