<p>The illegal trade in mongoose hair for paintbrush manufacturing poses a significant threat to Indian mongoose species, all of which are protected under national and international wildlife legislation. This study presents the first comprehensive tricho-taxonomic assessment of all six Indian mongoose species (genus <i>Urva</i>), focusing on the analysis of dorsal guard hair to develop a forensic identification key. Physical and microscopic characteristics including hair length, banding patterns, cuticular scale structure, medullary composition, and cross-sectional shape were systematically examined using optical microscopy and Principal Component Analysis. Distinct interspecific differences were observed, particularly in the number of bands, medullary index, and cross-sectional morphology. These diagnostic features offer a rapid, non-invasive method for identifying confiscated mongoose hair, thereby supporting law enforcement efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking. The morphological traits documented here also aid in recognizing unknown hair samples as belonging to mongooses. This study underscores the value of tricho-taxonomy in wildlife forensics and conservation and provides a foundational dataset to support the development of machine learning-based identification systems.</p>