Pea (Pisum sativum), a vital cool-season pulse crop, is cultivated in over 100 countries across approximately 12 million hectares globally. The garden pea, an important annual leguminous vegetable, belongs to the family Fabaceae—the third-largest family of flowering plants, comprising over 450 genera and approximately 1200 species. The primary centre of origin of pea is believed to be Central Asia, with the Near East recognized as a secondary centre of diversity. India ranks as the second-largest producer of green peas, following China. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS), which focus on single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), enable researchers to analyse hundreds to thousands of SNPs across large populations simultaneously. Both GWAS and quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping are critical tools in garden pea breeding, offering valuable insights into the genetic architecture of key agronomic traits such as yield, disease resistance, and nutritional quality. By identifying specific genomic regions associated with these traits, breeders can more efficiently select for desirable characteristics, thereby accelerating the development of improved cultivars. GWAS capitalizes on the natural genetic variation present within pea populations to detect associations between genetic markers and phenotypic traits, while QTL mapping aids in pinpointing genomic regions that govern quantitative traits. Collectively, these approaches contribute to the development of superior pea varieties capable of addressing agricultural challenges and meeting consumer demands, ultimately supporting sustainable crop production and global food security.