India is among the world's largest producers and consumers of fruits and vegetables, yet pesticide residue contamination in these commodities remains a significant and under addressed challenge to food safety, public health and export competitiveness. This article examines the current status of pesticide residues in Indian horticultural produce, drawing on national food safety surveillance data, export rejection records and published residue monitoring studies. High-risk commodities including okra, brinjal, chilli, tomato, grapes and leafy vegetables consistently show maximum residue limit (MRL) violations in monitoring surveys, with organophosphates, pyrethroids and carbamates among the most frequently detected classes above permissible levels. The article discusses the human health implications of acute and chronic pesticide exposure, with particular concern for children, farm workers and populations in high-intensity pesticide-use regions. It evaluates the regulatory framework governing pesticide use and residue standards in India, encompassing the roles of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB & RC) and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). Key drivers of persistent MRL violations, including pre-harvest interval (PHI) non-compliance, pesticide overdosing, extension failures and market incentives for cosmetically perfect produce are analysed. The article further outlines evidence-based solutions including integrated pest management (IPM), Good Horticulture Practices (GHP), Bharat GAP certification, residue testing at packhouse level and targeted farmer education. The article concludes that reducing pesticide residues in Indian produce demands a coordinated response from farmers, regulators, markets and consumers, and that the tools to achieve safe, residue-compliant horticulture are already available what is needed is the institutional will and financial commitment to deploy them at scale.