Blasting is the most important operation in open-pit mining, but they pose significant environmental and social challenges, particularly in densely populated or ecologically sensitive regions. In India, the increasing proximity of mining activities to communities and forest areas raises concerns over ground vibrations, air overpressure, flyrock, dust, and noise emanating from the blasting operations. This paper reviews state-of-the-art tools and techniques for responsible drilling and blasting and discusses various strategies to minimize environmental impacts, enhance safety, and foster community acceptance. The key advancements include the adoption of automated and electric-powered drilling rigs, electronic detonators, and innovative techniques such as stemming plugs, air-decks, blast face muffling, and water- based dust suppression tools. The integration of artificial intelligence and data analytics enables dynamic, site-specific blast designs tailored to diverse geological and social contexts. Field studies demonstrate that precise blast design optimization, including burden adjustment, charge segmentation, and air-deck blasting, can significantly reduce ground vibrations and air overpressure while maintaining productivity. The findings highlight the critical role of regulatory compliance, technological innovation, and holistic planning in achieving sustainable and responsible blasting practices in India's mining sector.