<p>India is a major player in the global edible oil market, covering 15–20% of the world’s oilseed area. Yet it imports over 15.6 million tonnes of edible oil each year because domestic production falls short. This paradox reflects structural inefficiencies and productivity gaps, especially in the kharif season, which accounts for nearly two-thirds of oilseed cultivation. Rising demand, driven by changing diets and urbanization, has only widened this gap. With edible oils integral to the Indian diet, dependence on imports heightens vulnerability to global shocks and price volatility. The paper reviews four decades of kharif oilseed performance, explores regional yield disparities, and highlights strategies to strengthen self-sufficiency. Achieving self-sufficiency in edible oil production, particularly through focused interventions in kharif oilseeds, is an urgent national priority requiring sustained action to bridge productivity gaps, address regional inequities, and strengthen farmer support.</p>