India possesses vast and diverse inland fisheries and aquaculture resources that play a crucial role in supporting livelihoods, food and nutritional security, poverty alleviation and economic development. Inland fisheries contribute significantly to employment generation, income diversification and value addition, particularly for rural and marginalized communities, including women. The sector also supports ecosystem services, biodiversity conservation and national economic growth through trade, taxation and contributions to gross domestic product. Despite its immense potential, the effective use of fisheries for poverty alleviation faces multiple challenges, including resource constraints, overexploitation, destructive fishing practices, post-harvest losses and inadequate adoption of ecosystem-based management approaches. Global initiatives such as the FAO?s Blue Transformation framework highlight the need for sustainable and inclusive management of aquatic food systems. Addressing these challenges through responsible fisheries management, value addition, livelihood diversification and policy support can enhance the sector?s contribution to poverty reduction, food security and sustainable development in India.