Regenerative agriculture has emerged as a promising approach for addressing the interconnected challenges of soil degradation, climate change, biodiversity loss, water scarcity and declining resource-use efficiency in agricultural systems. This review examines the concept, importance and core principles of regenerative agriculture, with particular emphasis on its relevance to sustainable Indian agriculture. The approach extends beyond conventional sustainability by focusing on the restoration of soil health, ecological functions and resilience through practices such as minimizing soil disturbance, diversifying crops, maintaining continuous soil cover and living roots, and integrating livestock. These practices contribute to improved soil fertility, nutrient cycling, water management, biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration, while reducing dependence on external inputs and enhancing farm resilience. The review also highlights emerging policy support in India through initiatives such as the National Mission on Natural Farming, PRAGATI and the BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence on Agro-Ecology and Regenerative Agriculture. Case examples from Karnataka and the Chandigarh-Panchkula region demonstrate the practical potential of regenerative and permaculture-based approaches for resource restoration and livelihood sustainability. Overall, regenerative agriculture offers a holistic pathway towards productive, climate-resilient and ecologically sustainable farming systems in India.