India is one of the leading nations in the world for the development and utilization of wind energy. The country’s wind power potential at 100 m above ground level is 302 GW. The Indian wind industry is on track to achieve the government’s 60 GW wind capacity target ahead of the 2022 deadline as it has already crossed 34 GW. Wind energy sector contributes to the country by generating employment, reducing the adverse effects of greenhouse gases and increasing the size of gross domestic product. To date, the Indian wind sector has developed by private sector investment. The government, on its part, supporting the wind industry in the country via a range of financial incentives and innovative schemes. That ensures scaling up of wind energy to reach the national energy demand in a socially, economically and ecologically sustainable manner. Attempts have been made in this review to frame a clear picture of the current status of India in the onshore and offshore sectors. Various guidelines for the development of wind power projects, policies and programmes by the ministry and its growing concern for the country’s energy security are discussed. This paper also highlights the importance of wind energy tariff and also explores the cost and economics of wind energy production. Current wind energy-related research studies are summarized. Concerns that are adhered in developing wind energy power plants including social, environmental and techno-economic impacts are addressed. © 2019 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.