Abstract <p>In light of the increasing prevalence of lifestyle related diseases, indigenous rice cultivars are experiencing a resurgence due to their potential health benefits and nutritional value. India serves as a hub for a diverse range of traditional rice landraces that offer remarkable nutritional and medicinal properties. Indian rice landraces exhibit a robust nutrient profile, enriched with resistant starch, total dietary fiber, and high quality protein. It also exhibits a low glycemic index and reduced allergenic reactions. Additionally, these landraces are a great source of vitamin B complex, all-trans retinoic acid, an active metabolite of vitamin A, vitamin D3 (secosteroid), carotene, beta-carotene, and vital minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and zinc. Thus, Indian rice landraces due to its diverse nutritional value, can be an integral part of a healthy diet. Metabolite profiling revealed the existence of bioactive complexes like tocols (gamma tocotrienol, alpha tocopherol); phytosterols (campestrol, beta sitosterol, stigmasterol, dihydro brassica sterol); additional phenolic acids (2-6-dimethoxy phenol,2-methoxy-4-vinyl, 2-methoxy phenol(Guaiacol), 3,5-ditert butyl phenol, 4-vinyl phenol, 2,4 –ditert-butyl phenol, ionol and p-cresol) flavonoids (tricin, luteolin, apigenin, myricetin, quercetinuronic acid quercetin-3-O-galactoside, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, apigenin-7-O-glucoside quercetinhexoside (epi)catechin, apigenin 9-flavonoids, proanthocyanidin trimer, and procyanidin B1 and anthocyanins (delphinidin-3-arabinoside, delphinidin-3-galactoside, cyaniding-3-glucoside, cyaniding-3-galactoside cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside pelargonidin-3-O-diglucoside 5-pyranopelargonidin-3-O-glucoside cyanidin-3-O-galactoside peonidin-3-O-glucoside chloride, cyanidin-3-glucoside chloride, peonidin-3-glucoside chloride and kuromanin) with pharmacological actions like antioxidant, antidiabetic, antiinflammation, anticancerous cardioprotective, antiulcirogenic and antiviral activities confirming the medicinal properties of Indian landraces and validating their traditional uses in Indian systems of medicine. As we move toward sustainable, natural foods, the preservation of India’s traditional rice cultivars is not only crucial for maintaining agricultural heritage but also for unlocking a path to improved global health and nutrition.</p> Graphical Abstract <p>Graphical abstract of the nutritional significance of Indian Rice Landraces</p>