This study investigates the trajectory of Indian tourism from 1947, when India achieved independence, to the present. Initially, tourism faced neglect due to post-independence challenges, with limited infrastructure and policy focus. Gradually, the sector gained momentum, transitioning from marginal attention to significant growth. Early tourism policies prioritize attracting international tourists and developing basic infrastructure, while domestic tourism emerges as a secondary focus. At the beginning of the 21st century, diversification in tourism and globalization expanded the scope and introducing innovative trends and infrastructure development, sustainably, along with preservation and conservation of culture, heritage, and wildlife. This research analyzes the evolution of Indian tourism, elaborating the challenges and the major policy measures that shaped its development. The research integrates qualitative policy analysis and quantitative data on tourist arrivals and economic factors in the transformation of India's tourism. Butler's TALC model is applied to frame the tourism trajectory of India after independence.