Insecticides are essential for enhancing agricultural productivity; however, their persistence in agro ecosystems poses significant environmental and human health risks. Persistence refers to the prolonged presence of insecticidal residues in soil, water, air and biota, commonly expressed through half-life values. Based on persistence, insecticides are classified as non-persistent, moderately persistent and highly persistent, with organochlorine insecticides exhibiting extreme stability, bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Environmental processes such as leaching, volatilization and adsorption redistribute insecticides rather than eliminate them, resulting in long-term ecological contamination. Persistent residues adversely affect soil organisms, aquatic life, wildlife and beneficial insects, while chronic human exposure is linked to neurological disorders, reproductive toxicity and developmental abnormalities. Past incidents, including the Endosulfan tragedy and Bhopal gas disaster, underscore the urgent need for safer pest management strategies and stricter regulatory control.