<p>This paper explores the connection between interpersonal trust (both generalised and particularised) and health outcomes (chronic diseases, functional disabilities/ ADLs, and depression) in India, taking into account the potential influence of district-level developmental indicators as moderators. Multi-level regression analysis is conducted based on nationally representative data from WHO’s Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) Wave-1 (2007/10) and district-level data from multiple sources. The study tests two hypotheses. The first, the buffer/compensatory hypothesis, suggests that in disadvantaged districts, trust compensates for resource scarcity, enhancing its positive impact on health. The second, the dependency hypothesis, posits that trust’s influence on health is stronger in advantaged districts, amplifying its effects in modern, resource-rich environments. The study confirms that both generalised and particularised trust positively affect health, acting as a buffer in resource-poor districts, reducing disability and depression, especially in districts with high scheduled caste populations. It also supports the dependency hypothesis, which suggests that trust is correlated with better health in socioeconomically advanced districts. For instance, generalised trust is associated with fewer disabilities and chronic diseases in areas with higher HDI, while particularised trust is particularly effective against disabilities in urban settings. The study highlights the importance of generalised and particularised trust in influencing health across different socio-economic contexts.</p>